President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for completing the Ikot Ekpene Government Reserved Area (GRA) road project and advancing infrastructure development across the state.
Akpabio spoke on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, while commissioning the Ikot Ekpene GRA internal road network, outfall drainage and additional erosion control works covering 12 roads within the estate.
The Senate President recalled his longstanding connection with Ikot Ekpene, noting that residents had raised concerns about the poor state of infrastructure in the area during his 2006 governorship campaign.
He said his administration subsequently implemented several projects in the area, including the Queen’s Drive project, reconstruction of a collapsed bridge and the Ikot Ekpene-Abak Road, which he said was expanded from a planned single carriageway to a dualised federal road.
Akpabio also listed the International Stadium, Government House, Deputy Governor’s Lodge, Governor’s Office, early flyovers and several urban roads in Uyo and other parts of the state among projects executed during his tenure.
Commending Eno for completing the inherited GRA project, the Senate President said the governor had “salvaged the situation” by ensuring that the long-delayed project was completed.
He also praised Eno’s relationship with his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly, local government chairmen and other political stakeholders.
Akpabio said the development of infrastructure, tourism and other sectors was positioning Akwa Ibom as a destination, rather than what he described as a “pedestrian State.”
He disclosed that he had inspected the completed terminal at Victor Attah International Airport and commended the revival of Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene.
The Senate President said he expected to return to the state for the commissioning of other major projects, including the International Market, Ibom Hotel and International Conference Centre.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu had also sent greetings to Governor Eno and was expected to visit Akwa Ibom to commission federal projects.
Akpabio specifically commended the governor’s plan to establish an international market along the Ikot Ekpene-Aba corridor, saying the Federal Government was working towards the dualisation of the Aba-Ikot Ekpene road.
He said the corridor would serve as a major transportation link connecting Akwa Ibom with Abia, Enugu, Rivers and Cross River states.
The Senate President also called on residents to support Governor Eno and President Tinubu at the polls, while urging political leaders and residents to preserve peace and unity in the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga, explained that the Ikot Ekpene GRA project was expanded from its original 2.5-kilometre scope to 4.12 kilometres to accommodate additional infrastructure requirements.
Ibanga said FGP Services was assigned the inherited project in 2023 because of its scale, while an additional 1.62 kilometres was approved in February 2026 to address a ravine and provide comprehensive drainage infrastructure.
He said all 12 roads in the estate had been completed with eight-metre-wide, fully compacted carriageways and drainage systems connected to a properly terminated outfall.
According to the commissioner, the area had suffered 27 years of neglect before the project was completed under the Eno administration.
The Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Elder Aniefiok Nkom, described the project as a major transformation, saying the GRA, which previously existed largely in name, now had infrastructure befitting its status.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by residents and other stakeholders, including Mr. Daniel Obot; Member representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Hon. Patrick Umoh; Hon. Jerry Otu; Paramount Ruler, HRM Akuku Okon Ukut; and Emmanuel Ibok-Essien.
They expressed appreciation to the governor for the project and pledged continued support for his administration.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Dr. Ekaette-Unoma Akpabio; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo; former governors Yakubu Bako and Group Captain John Ebiye (rtd.); State APC Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; Senator Aloysius Etuk; Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; Sir Monday Uko; members of the National and State Assemblies; commissioners; local government chairmen and other stakeholders.
