Akwa Ibom State Govt flag-off grading of feeder roads
In fulfillment of her avowed commitment to provide access roads for the rural communities, the Akwa Ibom State Government has flagged-off the grading and opening of feeder roads in the State.
Performing the exercise at Market Road, Ikot Ndua Iman, ONNA Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Economic Development & Chairman, State CARES Steering Committee, Mr. Emem Bob, said the project would have commenced earlier, but was delayed by the heavy rainy season experienced in the State this year. The road serves as a link between Ikot Ndua Iman and Ikot Annang communities in ONNA LGA.
Mr. Bob revealed that the first phase of this project which is under Disbursement Linked Indicator 2.2 of the AK-CARES programme, will cover roads in Onna, Itu, Ikot Ekpene, Ibesikpo Asutan, Essien Udim, Okobo and Ini Local Government Areas, while other phases will accommodate other Local Government Areas not yet captured.
He appealed to the host communities (Ikot Ndua Iman and Ikot Anang) to embrace peace so the Government can embark on more developmental projects in the area, with an assurance of capturing another washed-out road in the community during the second phase of the project.
The Commissioner, who commended Governor Udom Emanuel for his commitment in the development of the State, advised the benefitting communities to support the State Government’s Completion Agenda.
The Economic boss who appreciated the Commissioner for Agriculture for the proper implementation of AK-CARES Result Area 2, urged beneficiaries of the AK-CARES inputs to properly nurture the birds, fingerlings, kids, piglets and other inputs and assets given, to maturity rather than sell them out to make quick gains. This, he said, will help them increase the size of their farms and bring about sustainable profits which will in turn lead to an improvement in their well-being.
Mr. Bob called on the members of the community to cooperate with the Social Community Workers whenever they visit the area to update the State Social Register, as beneficiaries of most development projects now, including AK-CARES, are selected from the State Social Register.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. (Mrs.) Offiong Offor appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for his efforts in developing Akwa Ibom State in the area of road construction, skill acquisition and farmers empowerment in order to provide food and wealth creation.
Dr. Offor commended Governor Emmanuel and partners of the project for assisting farmers who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the State.
She noted that a good road network is a channel for the free flow of goods and services from the rural to urban areas, hence the State Government’s wise decision to open up roads via AK-CARES.
The Agriculture boss, advised the communities to put the inputs received and other facilities provided by Government to good use, so as to actualize the government’s food sufficiency agenda for the growth of the State.
Setting the tone for the event, the State Project Coordinator, FADAMA, Mr. Richard Sam, said the gathering was made possible in line with the vision of Governor Emmanuel in developing the rural communities.
Mr. Sam disclosed that AK-CARES result area 2 has 4 Disbursement Linked Indicators which include: DLI 2.1- Provision of Agricultural Inputs to Farmers, DLI 2.2- Provision of Agricultural Infrastructure, such as grading of Feeder Roads, DLI 2.3 – Provision of Agricultural Assets and DLI 2.4- Provision of Sanitary Facilities in Wet Markets.
According to him, the State team had previously embarked on other DLIs, as today marked the commencement of DLI 2.2.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Village Head Ikot Ndua Iman, Etidung Bennet Emmanson, Village Head, Ikot Anang, Etidung Udo Akpan, Honourable Udo Smith, Rev. Etokudo Essien and others, applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for the project and assured him of their total support for his completion agenda.
They appreciated the Hon. Commissioners for including their communities to benefit from this phase of the project, stating that the road had been in a very bad shape before now.
They also added that the feeder road will provide quick access to the Health Centre located in the area as well as forestall accidents on the major highway, thereby reducing the mortality rate. They appealed for the grading of other roads in the area.
The event had in attendance the Head, State CARES Coordinating Unit, Mrs. Enobong Okpongkpong, AK-CARES team, Communities, Women, Youths among others
