Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive development across the state.
Governor Eno stated this while commissioning five development projects in Oron Local Government Area, describing the initiatives as people-oriented and unprecedented in the area’s history.
The projects include a Model Primary Health Centre, a Youth Development Centre, 4.2 kilometres of Effiong Esang and Ukpong Streets with 800 metres of discharge drains, as well as a new administrative building at the Oron Local Government Council headquarters.
Commissioning the Model Primary Health Centre, Governor Eno urged residents of Oron to take advantage of the facility’s accessibility, affordability and quality healthcare services to improve their wellbeing.
The Governor said the Youth Development Centre in Oron was the first to be completed, adding that similar centres would be replicated across the 31 local government areas of the state.
He urged youths to maximise the opportunities provided by the centres for personal development and the progress of the state.
Governor Eno said when fully established across the state, the centres would train about 31,000 youths annually in various skills, including ICT, fashion and design, and catering.
According to him, the establishment of a stand-alone Ministry of Youth Development underscored his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment.
The Governor noted that the youth-friendly centres, primary healthcare facilities and other government projects were designed to decentralise development and reduce rural-urban migration.
While inaugurating the 4.2-kilometre roads and discharge drains, Governor Eno said, ‘Beyond the construction itself, the significance of the project was the relief it had brought to residents affected by erosion and poor environmental conditions.’
At the commissioning of the local government administrative block named after him, the Governor commended the Chairman of Oron Local Government Council, Hon. Okon Asukwo Enmewe, for his commitment to service.
He also praised local government chairmen across the state for their impactful leadership and assured them of continued partnership towards the development of Akwa Ibom State.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Emmanuel John Ekem, said the health facility was specially designed to serve as a feeder base for other primary healthcare centres within Oro Nation.
“This facility is called the Primary Health Centre Operational Base. It is from this location that all our primary health centres within this federal constituency are serviced. This building comes with staff quarters, and it operates 24 hours daily,” he said.
At the Youth Development Centre, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem, commended the Governor for investing in the facility, describing it as a comprehensive hub for youth economic empowerment and transformation.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga, said the road project had eliminated the erosion menace previously experienced by residents in the area.
