Another set of Four hundred and four entrepreneurs, including farmers and small-scale business owners from Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency have joined beneficiaries of the ARISE Empowerment scheme.
At the Town Square meeting held at QIC Central School, Ikot Akpa Nkuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, 154 constituents benefited from the Traders Grant, 116 benefited from the Farmers Grant, four got N5 Million each for the MSME Grant, and 131 were beneficiaries of the equipment support initiative.
Governor Umo Eno who presented the package to the beneficiaries, tasked them to make judicious use of the resources, warning beneficiaries to desist from deploying it to ponzi schemes or any other unintended purpose.
Governor Eno explained that he was determined to ensure his administration is indeed a government of the people, for the people and by the people, adding that the town square was an avenue to meet and interact with the people, feel their pulse, and ascertain their needs to be included in the proposed 2026 citizens budget.
“We need to meet with the people from time to time to see them. It’s not only during elections that we should come to see our people. We also have to come and see you in the course of governance, to check your wellbeing, to listen to you, tell you what we have done, and what we are planning to do.
He said ‘’This is the fourth federal constituency we have visited, we have six more to go and we will finish all in time for the budget department to capture the needs in the 2026 budget.‘’
“We will go through your requests and tell you the ones we have decided to do, based on available funds. We might not be able to do all, but whatever is left we will add to subsequent budgets.
“We will always work with the people because this government is of the people, for the people, and by the people,” he added.
Presenting the needs document of the federal Constituency, a former House of Representatives member, Obong Eno Akpan applauded the Governor for the laudable projects executed in the area, and also expressed hope that their needs as contained in the document, will be captured in the 2026 budget accordingly.
‘’This is our needs document, the projects contained therein touches the lives of our people. I assure you that the people of the Federal Constituency will continue to support Governor Eno beyond 2027.‘’
Also speaking, the Chairman of the ruling PDP in the State, Elder Aniekan Akpan, affirmed the support of the elders to the Governor’s leadership philosophy noting that it has enhanced a united Akwa Ibom State, while the Deputy State Chairman of APC, Dr Umo Essien said the leadership style of the Governor that has endeared him to all across party lines.
Other stakeholders from the constituency described the Governor as a man with unique leadership qualities, committed to the well-being of the people, while assuring of continuous support.
