Akwa Ibom State Government has approved fresh funding for solar-powered water schemes across all 369 wards, alongside new airport access road and flood control projects, as part of a fresh round of infrastructure interventions under its revised 2026 spending plan.
The approvals were among major decisions taken at Wednesday’s enlarged State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno in Uyo.
The Council also approved a N1.2 trillion budget proposal for 2027 and reduced the 2026 supplementary estimates from N1.584 trillion to N1.1 trillion following shortfalls in projected revenue.
The Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, who announced the decisions in a communiqué, said the review was intended to realign government spending with available resources.
Under the infrastructure approvals, the Council ratified the construction of a 1.814-kilometre access road to the terminal building of Victor Attah International Airport, including 800 metres of underground and side drainage.
A 5.66-kilometre flood control project at Dakkada Luxury Estate along Airport Road, Uyo, was also approved, alongside erosion control, reclamation and channelisation works at the Dakkada Skill Acquisition Centre in Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
The ARISE-GIFA solar-powered water intervention is expected to cover all 369 wards, while other approved projects include completion works at the Ibom International Convention Centre and additional rehabilitation of the State House of Assembly Complex.
The Council also approved the construction of a corporate headquarters for the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation on Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo, and the renovation and expansion of the Ibibio Union Museum.
Facility upgrades and driveway expansion at Unity Park, Uyo, were among the other ratified projects.
Beyond infrastructure, the revised 2026 supplementary appropriation makes provisions for newly established institutions and strategic investments, including the Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Akwa Ibom State University of Education and equity financing for Ibom Air.
The Senator Oluremi Tinubu Senior Citizens Centre and funding for the Ibom International Market in Ikot Ekpene are also covered by the revised estimates.
For the 2027 fiscal year, the proposed N1.2 trillion budget comprises N431.30 billion recurrent expenditure and N768.70 billion capital expenditure.
Governor Eno directed that both the 2027 budget proposal and revised 2026 supplementary appropriation be transmitted to the State House of Assembly for legislative consideration.
The Council also received reports on the review of government-owned investments to improve their profitability and preparations for the 2026 Ibom Christmas Unplugged celebrations.
Meanwhile, the governor thanked residents, traditional rulers, women and youth groups for their support during President Bola Tinubu’s two-day official visit to the state on November 6 and 7.
The Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, also commended the governor for hosting the President.
Earlier, Afrisafe International presented Eno with an International Safety Leadership Award for his administration’s efforts in promoting occupational safety in public workplaces.
The governor, in response, directed heads of ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen workplace safety practices and approved the organisation of a State Safety Week.
