Ikot Ekwere–Ikot Ebom–Mbak Itam Road: Residents Hail Gov Eno for Ending Years of Neglect, Suffering

….Nonagenarian Village Head Says Project Has Added More Years to His Life

For many years, residents of Ikot Ekwere, Ikot Ebom and Mbak Itam III in Itu Local Government Area lived with the burden of a road that had become almost impassable. Businesses relocated, property values declined, and many families left the area as flooding and poor access combined to make daily life difficult in communities located only a few minutes from Uyo.

Today, the story is changing.

The road, from the Ikot Ekwere Itam side…
Photo credits: Henshaw NYONG

A visit by our reporter to the ongoing Ikot Ekwere–Ikot Ebom–Mbak Itam Road project revealed impressive progress on the road being constructed by NigerPet Structures Limited under the administration of Governor Umo Eno. From the UBE Primary School axis in Ikot Ekwere, sections of the road have been properly stone-based and made motorable, while large portions stretching towards Mbak Itam III have already been asphalted. Thick pre-cast drainage channels line several sections of the project corridor, while work continues on other stretches.

At the palace of the Village Head of Ikot Ekwere, Eteidung Sunday Mathew Ekong, a nonagenarian, emotions were difficult to conceal as he reflected on what the project means to his community.

Village Head of Ikot Ekwere, Eteidung Sunday Mathew Ekong at his palace on Thursday, June 25, 2026…

The traditional ruler said news of the road project brought him immense joy, noting that Governor Umo Eno had, in a manner of speaking, “added more years” to his life by making it possible for him to witness the construction of a road his people had yearned for over several decades.

“I am over 90 years old. I have seen governments come and go, yet this road remained a challenge for our people. For years, we prayed and hoped that one day government would come to our aid. When I heard that Governor Umo Eno had approved this road, I was overwhelmed with joy. Please tell him that he has added more years to my life because of this project. I thank God that I am alive to witness its construction, and I believe I will also live to see its completion,” he said.

The village head further commended the Governor for other interventions in the community, including the construction of a fully furnished Compassionate Home for a widow in Ikot Ekwere, complete with solar power installation and business support funds.

Also speaking, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) of the project, Mr. Joseph Christopher Etim, said residents remain appreciative that the Governor responded to a challenge that had persisted for decades despite the communities’ proximity to Government House.

Equipment of NigerPet Structures Ltd working on the road…
Photo credits: Henshaw NYONG

According to him, the road project requires specialised engineering because of the terrain, and he praised the contractor for maintaining quality standards.

“This is a highly technical project because of the topography. The contractor has demonstrated professionalism and competence. Rainfall affected some aspects of the asphalt work, but with the weather improving, work is progressing. The people are happy because they can see that government has not abandoned the project,” he said.

For Pastor Ubong Friday Abraham, whose church is located along the Mbak Itam III section of the road, the project represents a turning point for the affected communities.
He likened Governor Eno’s intervention to the biblical rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls under Nehemiah, noting that previous efforts failed to deliver the desired result.

“This road had become a source of frustration for residents. Today, people can see visible progress. Governor Umo Eno has demonstrated genuine concern for the welfare of the people, while the contractor has shown capacity and expertise in handling the work,” he stated.

Mrs. Grace Nathaniel, who has operated a medicine shop along the corridor for more than seven years, recalled how flooding and poor access drove away residents and businesses.

Mbak Itam III side of the road on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Photo credits: Henshaw NYONG…

“There were times when people simply abandoned the area. Business activities dropped because movement was difficult, especially during the rainy season. Today, there is renewed confidence. Some people who left are beginning to return because they can see that access is being restored,” she said.

An HND I student of Uyo City Polytechnic, Mr. Philemon Ozegbe, who has lived in Ikot Ekwere for over four years, said the project demonstrates the importance of community-focused infrastructure.

According to him, many prospective tenants avoided the area because of the road condition, making accommodation very cheap despite the community’s strategic location.

“What impressed me is not just the road itself but the quality of work. The contractor is using good materials and has ensured residents still have access while construction continues. As someone who has travelled around the entire South-South and other parts of the country, I believe Akwa Ibom people should appreciate a government that pays attention to roads within communities and not only major highways,” he said.

The Chairman of the Motorcycle Operators Association in Mbak Itam III, Mr. Unyime Ekerete Umanah, also praised the Governor for the intervention.

Mr. Umanah…

He said commercial motorcyclists suffered frequent breakdowns because of the road’s poor condition but noted that the situation had improved significantly since work commenced.

“Our motorcycles used to develop faults regularly because of the state of the road. Now, movement is easier and many sections have already been completed. From what we are seeing, we are confident the project will be delivered,” he said.

Beyond improving transportation, residents believe the road will stimulate economic activities, attract investment, improve security and restore the fortunes of communities that had gradually become isolated by years of infrastructural neglect.

At the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain comments from officials of NigerPet Structures Limited were unsuccessful, as site personnel remained engaged in ongoing construction activities. However, observations on the ground and testimonies from residents point to growing optimism that a road once synonymous with hardship is steadily being transformed into a vital economic corridor under Governor Umo Eno’s infrastructure development of the ARISE Agenda.