When Distinguished Senator Aniekan Bassey SAB arrived at the Senate, he did not come with stories, he came with solar light. To complement Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, Senator Bassey initiated community infrastructure projects of solar-powered streetlights in Itu, Uyo, Nsit Atai and Uruan LGAs, turning dark streets that closed by 7pm into safe trading corridors till 10pm. This is not campaign talk, it is light you can see tonight.
Verifiable on ground: Selected locations with installed solar-powered streetlights include Uyo Club, Udosen Uko Street, Akpan Etuk Street, Bassey Etim Street, Etuk Ekpat Street, Akpan Etuk Lanes, Ifa Atai Street, Okon Sampson Street, Nsukara Offot, NEPA Line, Udo Etuk Street, Akpabio Crescent at Shelter, Jubilee Estate, Usen Bassey Street, Akwa Ibom North-East Consultative Forum Secretariat, Ibiaku Uruan, Ikpa Uruan, Tony Tommy Street Osongama Estate, Ibakang Nsit, Eman Ikot Ebo, Ifiayong Usuk, Mbikpong and many more wards across the nine LGAs. Residents of these streets confirm installation, with solar poles, panels and batteries still standing and working.
The impact is economic and security. Traders in Uyo and Itu who previously closed early due to darkness now sell with confidence under solar light. Students in Nsukara Offot and Shelter Afrique read at night and walk home safe. Ibom Community Watch and Command and Control Centre patrols are aided by lit streets. The solar lights reduce theft, road accidents and use of expensive diesel generators, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope energy transition and Governor Eno’s solar for markets initiative in Nsit Ubium ultra-modern market with solar-powered lighting and water supply.
What makes SAB different is that he did not stop at light. While delivering light, he also facilitated road projects to bring people to the light – Eman Ukpa Road 1km constructed, Nung Udoe-Ibiaku Obio Ndobo-Adadia Road 17km ongoing, Adadia-Esuk Odo Road 4.1km ongoing, Nturupum-Eman Ukpa-Ekim Enen Road 7km ongoing, Esuk Odo-Afhaha Ikot-Issiet Road 3.3km ongoing and Adadia-Issiet Road 2km ongoing. Light without access is incomplete, but SAB provides both, linking farms to markets like Ikot Ekpene International Market with 30 blocks of shops and giant warehouses.
This is grassroots representation that can be verified by ward chairmen, youth leaders and women leaders. Installation photos, community handover letters and LGA works records are on file at constituency offices in Uyo and Etinan. Unlike audio projects, you can drive tonight to Ifa Atai, Udosen Uko or Ibiaku Uruan and count the solar poles yourself. The Coalition of Youth Leaders managing constituency volunteers confirms weekly maintenance with local youths engaged as technicians.
For lighting our streets, securing our nights, creating jobs for youth technicians and complementing Governor Umo Eno’s 39 projects including 6.475km Amanyam-Mbiaso Road commissioned September 3 and 4.12km GRA 12-road network commissioned September 22, Distinguished Senator Aniekan Bassey SAB has proven he is the light bearer of Uyo Senatorial District. For continuity, for safety, for economy that trades at night, Uyo Senatorial District should return SAB for second term. Double Term, Double Light, Double Impact.
©️ Obonguwana Micheal Joseph Okon
Convener, TUEASO
