Rural Development: Essien Udim Council boss assures Ekpenyong Atai people of Gov Umo Eno’s commitment to construct 16.5 km Midim – Ikot Akpan- Etim Ekpo Road
…It’ll be our first government presence in 53 years- Midim Atan community
It was a mixture of tears and joy in Midim community in Ekpenyong Ward in Essien Udim LGA when a Special Project Intervention Assessment Team from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Works arrived the community on the order of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno on Saturday.
The delegation which was led by the Chairman of Essien Udim LGA and Mr Celestine Mel, took a physical tour of the Midim Atan- Utu Ikot Imonte road that spans across Essien Udim and Etim Ekpo LGA’s. The road which has Midim Atan, Midim Ikot Inyang Udo, Nto Udo, Ikot Ubo and Ikot Akpan Villages in Ekpenyong Atai Ward 1 and Ikot Akpan, Etok Uruk Eshiet and Utu Ikot Imonte Villages in Etim Ekpo LGA as benefitting communities is a 12km road with an expected 4.5km spur from Ikot Akpan Village to St. Paul Primary School, Midim Atan totalling 16.5km.
Engineers from the State Ministry of Works were on hand to inspect and assess the road which has been cut off by the collapsed 50 meters Ikot Akpan makeshift bridge.
Addressing the delegation, the Village Head Elect of Midim Atan, Chief Engr Victor Udom said no government official has visited the community in 53 years, and appreciated Governor Umo Eno for backing his words with action, submitting that the road when constructed will not only endear the Governor to the people, but will enhance trade, commence and enterprise among the benefiting communities in the two local government areas.
He stated that the Community has already carried out Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) and submitted same to the Ministry of Works and appealed to the Governor to mobilise contractor to site so as to bring relief and succour to the people and also ensure the contractor takes into account the local content factor so as to create jobs to the unemployed youths.
Addressing the villagers, the Chairman of Essien Udim LGA, Mr Anthony Luke, thanked the people of Midim community for their support and solidarity to Governor Umo Eno, stating that Midim community voted enbloc for Governor Umo Eno during the 2023 Governorship election.
He thanked the community leaders for the prevailing peace and unity that exists among them and assured them of the determination of the Umo Eno led administration to change the fortunes of Midim and all rural communities in Akwa Ibom State.
He assured the people that the Governor has promised to intervene in the rehabilitation of the Community Health Center Midim Atan to help revamp and take care of the health care needs of the people and combat infant and maternal mortality in the area.
On hand at the Midim Atan Village Hall to receive the Governor’s delegation was the Clan Head of Utu Clan, Etim Ekpo LGA Community, His Highness, Obong Okon Udoudo, who thanked the Governor for his intervention and pledged the cooperation of the youths to the contractors that will handle the project.
