Idongesit Mishael, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Government is projected to save about N7.08 billion in four years from its migration from diesel-powered to solar-powered street lighting, the State Ministry of Works has disclosed.
The projection is based on the ministry’s reported reduction in monthly diesel expenditure from N187.5 million to N40 million, representing a monthly saving of N147.5 million and an annual saving of N1.77 billion, if the current rate is sustained.
The Commissioner for Works, Prof Eno Ibanga, disclosed this in Uyo on Thursday at a media briefing organised as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom at 39, where he also gave details of the state’s expenditure on roads and other infrastructure under Governor Umo Bassey Eno.
Ibanga said the solar transition had already reached 95 per cent completion, with 6,386 of the 6,441 approved solar street lights under Phases I and II installed, leaving 55 units to be completed.
“Before migration to solar, diesel consumption was 150,000 litres per month, that is N187.5 million per month. After migration, it is now 32,000 litres per month, that is N40 million per month,” he said.
The figures mean the state has reduced monthly diesel consumption by 118,000 litres, equivalent to 1.416 million litres annually or approximately 5.664 million litres over four years, based on the current consumption rate.
Beyond the street-lighting savings, the commissioner disclosed that the state government had spent N879.22 billion on roads, bridges, erosion control, electrification and other infrastructure projects since the commencement of the Eno administration.
According to him, the expenditure covers 234 projects, including 40 bridges, with a combined road length of 1,159.63 kilometres, while another 43 RAAMP projects covering 352.83 kilometres are also being executed, bringing the total road length under the programmes to 1,511.83 kilometres.
“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has executed and funded a total of 234 projects with 40 bridges totalling 1,159.63 kilometres, while 43 RAAMP projects cover 352.83 kilometres across the state,” he said.
Ibanga said N747.51 billion of the total expenditure had gone into ARISE projects, comprising N615.65 billion released for 76 ARISE FGPC projects and N131.86 billion spent on 53 emergency intervention projects.
He added that a further N131.71 billion had been expended on projects inherited from the previous administration, bringing the combined expenditure on inherited and ARISE projects to the reported N879.22 billion.
The commissioner said the present administration had funded 105 inherited projects, comprising 47 FGPC road projects with 14 bridges, 51 direct-labour projects and seven erosion control, electrification and other intervention projects. Of these, 57 have been completed and 15 commissioned.
“Fifty-seven of the inherited projects have been completed, with 15 already commissioned by the present administration.”
For projects initiated under the current administration, Ibanga said 129 ARISE projects had been undertaken, including 114 road projects and 15 erosion control, electrification and other intervention projects, with 26 completed and 20 commissioned.
Among the major 2026 projects, he listed the 7.64-kilometre Ndon Eyo-Ikot Akpatek Road, 16.38-kilometre Nung Udoe-Afaha Offiong-Afaha Nsit Road, 18.12-kilometre Afaha Offiong-Ikot Imo-Itreto Road, and internal road networks at Itam Industrial Park and Shelter Afrique Housing Estate.
“A total of N747.51 billion has been spent on the ARISE Projects.”
The ministry also reported that it generated N303.61 million into the State Treasury Single Account by the end of June 2026, representing 132.26 per cent of its approved 2026 revenue target of N229.55 million, with the revenue coming principally from access permits, right-of-way payments and sales of unserviceable items.
