The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council meeting was held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, presiding.
In his opening remarks, the Governor welcomed members to the meeting and appreciated God for His grace and faithfulness upon the State since the beginning of the year. The Governor-in-Council commended all EXCO members for their efforts in their respective ministries in advancing the ARISE Agenda and charged them to rededicate themselves to prompt and decisive actions towards delivering the administration’s governance blueprint.
The Governor advised Council members desirous of contesting in the forthcoming general elections to honourably take a leave and resign in accordance with the Electoral Act. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to the delivery of government projects.
RESOLUTIONS:
1. The Executive Council considered three Finance and General Purpose Committee (FGPC) memoranda presented by the Secretary to the State Government and ratified 39 projects, including 27 road projects covering over 167 kilometres across the State. These include award of a contract for the dualisation and construction of a six-lane, 36 kilometre Nung Udoe–Afaha Offiong–Ikot Imo–Itreto road, with bridges, outfall drains, and solar lighting, to Hensek Integrated Services Limited; the construction of 7.6 kilometre Ikwe–Odio road in Onna and Eket Local Government Areas, with outfall drains and solar street lighting, awarded to Orenburg Construction Limited; dualisation of the 7.64 kilometre Ndon Eyo–Ikot Akpatek road in Onna LGA, awarded to Eighteenth Engineering Limited; the construction of 4.0 kilometre Ekom Iman Junction–Afia Nsit–Nduo Eduo–Mbiokporo road in Nsit Ibom LGA, awarded to Techno Impex Synergy Ltd; as well as other projects across the State.
2. In a bid to build a society where older persons receive holistic care and actively participate in socio-economic life, Council considered a memorandum presented by the Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor on the Akwa Ibom State Policy on Aging and approved the adoption and implementation of the Aging Policy in line with the ARISE Agenda of the administration.
The Governor-in-Council directed that the Senior Citizens Establishment Bill, 2026 be forwarded to the State House of Assembly to provide a legal framework for the care and welfare of the elderly, including provisions for the management of the Oluremi Senior Citizens Centre.
3. EXCO received and reviewed a report from the Commissioner for Agriculture on the impact of the N2B Agricultural Grant and applauded the positive outcomes recorded, particularly in the expansion of farm sizes and output, increased procurement of inputs such as feeds, fertilizers, and farm machinery, growth in agro-processing activities, improved income levels among beneficiaries, and a reduction in the cost per ton of cassava.
Council also received a report from the Commissioner for Trade and Investment on the N2B Traders Grant and noted the positive impact of the programme on overall business growth and improved livelihoods of the people.
4. In a bid to ensure the implementation of the ARISE-GIFA solar-powered Braithwaite storage tank rural water project across the 369 wards of the State, Council reviewed the implementation plan and directed modifications, including community inclusion in the maintenance structure of the project upon delivery.
5. The Governor-in-Council inaugurated the Steering Committee on Ward-Level Cooperative Societies, with the mandate to provide strategic policy direction, coordination, and oversight for the newly established cooperative societies across the 369 wards. The Committee, chaired by Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, is tasked with ensuring that cooperatives serve as effective vehicles for poverty alleviation, food security, and rural transformation.
The Committee has the Special Adviser Bureau of Cooperatives & Rural Development as Secretary, and other members including: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Digital Economy, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, State Woman Leader of the APC, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Cooperatives & Rural Development, Dean College of Personal Assistants.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm
Rt. Hon Aniekan Umanah, PhD
Commissioner for Information
02042026
