Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared that his administration has lifted thousands of citizens out of poverty through targeted governance reforms, empowerment programmes, and a focus on accountability.
He made this assertion during the Mid-Term Scorecard Review of his administration in Uyo, attended by stakeholders, civil society, development partners, and members of the public.
Governor Eno said the review, themed “Measuring Progress, Deepening Impact,” was a moment for reflection and collective evaluation.
“It’s an opportunity to take stock, assess our progress, and identify areas for improvement,” he stated.
He noted that his administration’s ARISE Agenda is grounded in transparency and data-driven governance.
“We are a government that is data-driven, which is why we established a standalone Bureau of Statistics,” the Governor said.
“It ensures accurate data analysis and informed decision-making.”
Addressing financial reforms, Governor Eno revealed that he initiated an internal evaluation team to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
“One of the first things I did was to streamline our procurement processes, which saved the state billions,” he explained.
Speaking on agriculture, the Governor called for personal responsibility alongside government support.
“All the vegetables I eat in the Government House come from my personal farm,” he remarked, encouraging residents to embrace home gardening.
On education, he disputed federal data indicating a high number of out-of-school children in the state.
“We do not agree with the National Bureau of Statistics on this. We run free and compulsory education, and also support our students in tertiary institutions with grants,” he said.
Governor Eno also addressed housing, saying:
“So far, we’ve built over 205 Arise Compassionate Homes for the less privileged. By God’s grace, we will reach 400 homes in this first term.”
On healthcare, he shared plans to expand access and improve infrastructure.
“We’re building model primary healthcare centres and have enrolled over 130,000 people under our medical insurance scheme. Retirees now have access to free medical care,” he stated.
Highlighting improvements in security, he commended local efforts in reducing crime.
“We’ve recorded a significant drop in kidnapping, robbery, and cult activities. Akwa Ibom is one of the safest states today,” he asserted.
On tourism, Governor Eno unveiled the ARISE Resort, a major tourism project under development.
“That land was a ravine. Today, it’s becoming the mini Disneyland of Nigeria,” he noted.
Governor Eno thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting state projects and funding road infrastructure.
“We have over 50 major projects ongoing, all fully funded without borrowing a dime. We’re using Akwa Ibom’s resources for Akwa Ibom people,” he declared.
He urged the National Bureau of Statistics to partner with the state to reflect accurate progress in national records.
“We want NBS to work with us to ensure our efforts are properly documented,” he said.
The Governor closed his remarks with an invitation to investors:
“Akwa Ibom is rising. The opportunities here are real: come, live, invest, and thrive.”