The relative calm in the air and much progress recorded in Governor Udom Emmanuel's infrastructural expansion and Completion Agenda shows that the commissioner holding sway in that area is a study in scarlet.

Everyone knows that Governor Emmanuel means well for the state. The blind can see that the governor has a transparent heart to bring developments to this state.

This was the first time a governor is ensuring that infrastructural development comes to all parts of the state simultaneously. That vision is now finding expression through the instrumentality of the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga.

At first, some people thought that adding the title of Fire service to his designation was a mistake, but with the pace of work and progress being recorded, it can be deduced that the governor wanted him to use the fire brigade approach to actualise his vision of total facelift of capital infrastructure in the state.

For over 5 years of his tenure, it was quite clear how , hues, cries, petitions, traditional injunctions, litigations marred the progress and execution of some of the road projects in the state. A case at hand is the Dualised Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road where the governor openly confessed that over 20 court cases by property owners had stalled the progress of work. The work however was accomplished by the State Government and commissioned by the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan last September. Most gigantic road projects are now being completed as well, and noiselessly.


The story of infrastructural development is totally different since the arrival of Prof. Eno Ibanga, a former Vice Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University. It is believed that his appointment came at the right time to clean the mess left behind by his predecessor, Mr Ephraim Inyang.

The mess included by-passing estate valuers in the compensation plan for property owners, poor job quality and slow pace of work. Mr Inyangeyen's unguarded utterances brought more fury into the atmosphere. Blaming youths in Oruk Anam for artificial rains, bringing the government to disrepute by blaming elders of some communities of demanding bribes and speaking from both sides of their mouths etc. It is not surprising that he would later even throw the blame on the Governor to exonerate himself.

Gladly, the mess is being cleaned up gradually, the story is different as work is on going at most abandoned projects sites like at Oruk Anam, the Ikot Okoro- Ikot Ibritam road, the pace of work is encouraging, at Ika - Etim Ekpo. The same can be said of Ukanafun, with communities like Ikot Oku Osung, Afaha Ikot Ebak and others getting new roads. The Etinan-Ndon Eyo road, Eket- Etinan road, are not left out. The road from Uyo to the Akwa Ibom State owned Airport, is being expanded steadily and without any noise. Breaking down all those houses from the heavily built up areas on Uyo to Airport road, without any protest by landlords, attest to Prof Ibanga's recent comment that Government must have a human face.

The Urban renewal project at Eket is no longer attracting concerns on radio stations because compensations are now being paid duly through accredited valuers and work is progressing at jet speed from Atabong to Liverpool Roundabout, Grace Bill Roundabout and the previously contentious Idua Road .


With the turn of things, people now remove their valuables and demolish their properties themselves, having enough time after getting paid for their properties that have infringed on the right of way, an act which shows that they are pleased with the Government of the day and its attitude towards property owners.


It is obvious that those who were having field days filing court papers, were not anti development, as the former Commissioner for Works, Mr Inyangeyen used to allege. Funnily, same man who couldn't carry out his assignments efficiently, wants to contest for the position of senator to represent a zone he disappointed during his tenure as commissioner.

By Mercy Udoh