By The Evangelist | Uyo.
Residents of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have commended Governor Umo Eno for extending the fourth phase of the ARISE Free Food Distribution Programme to their communities, describing the intervention as timely and beneficial to vulnerable households.
The exercise, implemented through the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, involved the distribution of food items to 7,000 beneficiaries across the local government area, with beneficiaries selected from verified records in the State Social Register.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the General Manager of the Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim, disclosed that 7,000 vouchers had been issued to beneficiaries in Eket and were being redeemed at designated centres.
Etim said the process was designed to ensure transparency and accountability, noting that the use of physical vouchers and scanning systems would prevent diversion and ensure that the food items reached the persons for whom they were intended.
“That’s why we scan every voucher carefully. We want to ensure the food actually reaches the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
The General Manager also highlighted some of the development projects executed by the Governor in Eket, particularly in road infrastructure and healthcare, saying the food intervention was part of the administration’s broader commitment to improving the welfare of the people.
He urged residents to complement government interventions by embracing agriculture and food production, stressing that sustainable farming remained essential to achieving long-term food security.
Representing the Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Akaniyene Tommey, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Inyang Akpanwan, commended the Bulk Purchase Agency for the consistent implementation of the Governor’s welfare initiative.
She assured the distribution team of the local government’s cooperation, describing Eket as a peaceful and hospitable community.
“We are known for our peace and hospitality and receiving people well, so we thank the Executive Governor for bringing this agenda to us,” she said.
Akpanwan noted that the food distribution, alongside ongoing and completed infrastructure projects in Eket, demonstrated what she described as the Governor’s commitment to grassroots development.
She said the people of Eket appreciated the administration’s interventions and would continue to support programmes aimed at improving their welfare.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Nse Obot, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno, saying the ward-level distribution had made it easier for her family to access the food supplies.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Effiong Bassey, also praised the Governor for what he described as fulfilment of his promise to support vulnerable residents.
The exercise ended with community leaders and residents reiterating their appreciation for the intervention and their commitment to maintaining peace while supporting programmes targeted at improving the welfare of the people.
