Etinan LGA Chairman Marks One year Anniversary, Reviews Achievements
By Ekemini Simon
The Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Hon Uko Umoh, has marked his first anniversary in office with a many projects and programmes touching various sectors showcased in his scorecard.
Addressing a press briefing on Monday at Etinan Local Government Council to mark the occasion, attributed the success recorded by his administration tothe strength and resources God has blessed him with to run the council in the past year.
He also appreciated the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for the opportunity to pilot the affairs of the local government.
Hon Umoh acknowledged the support of the press and the people of Etinan, saying, “Your solidarity went beyond mere political support to a demonstration of the spirit of comradeship. Together we won.”
The chairman presented his administration’s achievements in the past year, anchored on the leadership philosophy of “A New Iman is Possible”. This philosophy, he said seeks to restore the lost glory of Etinan Local Government Area, which was once rated the best in every human endeavor.
Hon Umoh said, “On our part, we have remained faithful to the vision of repositioning our local government for greater glory as it is written in Haggai 2:9 that the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former.”
The Chairman said in the electricity sector, the administration has restored electricity to communities that had been in darkness for over ten years, such as Ikot Nkang, Ikot Ibok, Ekpene Ukpa, and Etinan by the motor park.
He noted that his administration has also resuscitated five water projects in Afaha Akpan Ekpo, Ikot Udo Otto, Ikot Eba, Iwor Etor, and Ayam Efa communities adding that the council provided generating sets to power the electric pumps at Ikot Udo Otto, Afaha Akpan Ekpo, and Ikot Eba.
In the health sector, Hon. Umoh said the administration has renovated a Primary Health Centre at Ndon Utim to bring healthcare services closer to the people in Urban Ward 2 even as the council has also participated in numerous immunization programs in partnership with donor agencies.
In education, the Chairman said the administration has procured over 20,000 branded exercise books for distribution to public primary schools and sewn school uniforms for 250 pupils. The council has also purchased UTME forms for 500 students with a promise of scholarships to those who excel.
Hon Umoh said, “Our administration has also opened up rural communities and boosted the economy of our people through passionate grading of roads across the 12 wards.”
The administration has also renovated the legislative building, fixing essential parts such as toilet facilities. The chairman noted that they met an open uncompleted septic pit and no toilet seats in the offices within the legislative chambers.
The council has also started the construction of a leisure park by Etinan roundabout to give visitors a welcoming ambiance. Additionally, the administration has renovated the Etinan sports Stadium, which yielded positive results with the local government emerging 4th on the medal table at the just concluded Akwa Ibom Sports Festival.
In humanitarian services, the council has reached out to wives and widows of legionaries with gifts of wrappers and donated N1,000,000 to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration. The council has also donated mobility aids to people living with disabilities and provided Christmas grants and scholarships to students with disabilities.
Hon Umoh said, “Our legacy project in the first year is the ultra-modern motor park embarked upon by this administration from the foundation.”
The motor park, located along Etinan-Uyo road, is expected to drive traffic to Etinan and make it a destination from major cities in the country. The park will ply routes such as Lagos, Abuja, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Edo.
The ultra-modern park is expected to generate significant revenue for the local government council, with facilities such as lock-up stores, a warehouse, car wash, and public toilet.
Hon Umoh attributed the administration’s success to the unity between the legislative and executive arms of the council. He said, “We are all united for a common purpose of bringing development to our respective communities within our time in the council.”
The chairman called on well-meaning people of Etinan to join hands with the administration in leaving enduring legacies at the end of their first tenure. He said, “I owe each and every member of the team a deep sense of gratitude for being the foot soldiers that have interpreted the vision to reality today.”