Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, says the ongoing erosion control and land reclamation project at Uyo Village Road will reclaim more than 150 hectares of land for the development of a new downtown district in Uyo.
Governor Eno stated this while inspecting the project, expressing satisfaction with the progress of work and the transformation already recorded at the site.
The Governor noted that the area, which was previously characterised by a deep ravine that had existed for many years, was gradually being restored through the intervention.
Governor Eno said the construction of a bridge and other components of the project were progressing, describing the improvement as a significant departure from the situation inherited by his administration.
“If you move forward, you see that there’s no ravine anymore here. You find it difficult to believe that that used to be ravine in this state for God knows how many years ago.”
The intervention is expected to address the devastating consequences of erosion in the area, where ravines can threaten roads, restrict movement, consume valuable land and expose nearby communities and properties to the risk of destruction.
Beyond erosion control, Governor Eno said the reclaimed land would provide space for a planned downtown development, including estates and other urban infrastructure.
“This project will reclaim over 150 hectares of land that we want to use for your downtown. And then you begin to have estates coming up here.”
The project therefore represents more than an erosion-control measure, as the reclamation of the degraded landscape is expected to return previously unusable land to productive use, improve connectivity and open up new opportunities for housing and urban development.
Governor Eno expressed optimism that the ongoing work would continue to deliver the desired transformation, saying, “We’re good, we’re moving.”
