By Solomon OKPO | Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Publishers (ANPA) has commended the Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Council, Hon. (Prince) Uyo Ukpanah, for what it described as a remarkable commitment to grassroots development and prudent management of public resources.
The commendation followed an on-the-spot assessment of projects and programmes executed by the council administration across infrastructure, healthcare, road rehabilitation, staff welfare and community development.
The ANPA team arrived at the Ukanafun Local Government Secretariat at about 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday and was received by the Secretary to the Council, Pastor Hon. Dr. Ubong Odudu Jonah, who welcomed the publishers and commended the association for undertaking the assessment tour.
Ukanafun, created in 1976, comprises 13 wards and 87 gazetted villages.
Led by the Council Chairman, Vice Chairman and Council Secretary, the ANPA delegation inspected several completed and ongoing projects within the council headquarters.
Among the projects inspected were the state-of-the-art administrative block named after the late Obong (Barr.) Asuquo J. Ukpanah; the completed and furnished Women Development Centre, which houses the Office of the First Lady and is named after the late Governor’s wife, Mrs. Patience Umo Eno; a 20-room office complex equipped with staff facilities; the remodelled and furnished Legislative Chamber; and a 100KVA Mikano generator serving the council secretariat.
The team also inspected the ongoing Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, which is nearing completion and includes offices for the TRC Secretary and staff.
Other projects and initiatives highlighted by the administration include the grading of roads across the 13 wards to improve transportation and inter-community connectivity, construction of a Primary Healthcare Centre at Ikot Ebok, solar-powered boreholes at Nsekhe, Odoro Ikot, Ikot Esa and Ikot Oku Usung, and acquisition of land for a proposed stadium.
The administration also listed grants to law students, sponsorship of the coronation of the Paramount Ruler, ongoing construction of the Udo Ekpenyong Unity Hall, completion of a conference room, provision of offices for councillors, and official vehicles for the Secretary to the Council, Legislative Leader and six aides of the Council Chairman.
Speaking on the funding of the projects, Ukpanah said his administration had relied solely on the statutory allocation accruing to the local government.
“All the progress you have seen here in Ukanafun is done with the local government allocation. I have not borrowed any money from any quarter, and I am not ready to do so in the near future,” he said.
The Chairman explained that he had adopted a gradual approach to project execution by implementing projects within the resources available to the council.
According to him, his commitment to transforming Ukanafun was partly driven by the historical significance of the local government, which was created by his late father in 1976.
He said he considered the development of the area both a responsibility to preserve his father’s legacy and an obligation to justify the mandate entrusted to him by the people.
Ukpanah further disclosed that construction of the proposed stadium would commence in 2027, alongside the payment of bursaries to deserving students.
He also announced plans for a ₦200 million mega empowerment programme to mark the second anniversary of his administration.
The programme, he said, would provide beneficiaries with cars, tricycles, cooking ovens, sewing machines and business grants to enhance their livelihoods and economic independence.
Speaking during the assessment, ANPA President, Pastor OsuiniAbasi Alfred, described Ukpanah as a leader who had demonstrated genuine concern for the welfare and development of his constituents.
“Council Chairman, on behalf of my members, you have done well. If we, the watchdog, are saying you have done well, then there is no politics about it,” he said.
Alfred noted that receiving public funds was different from deploying them effectively for the benefit of the people, stressing that the projects inspected showed that the council chairman had approached governance with preparation and commitment.
“It is one thing to receive an allocation and another thing to do justice to it. From what we have seen, you came prepared for governance,” he added.
The ANPA President urged the chairman to sustain the pace of development and improve on the achievements recorded as his administration progresses.
In her vote of thanks, the Vice Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Aniekan Owen, expressed appreciation to the ANPA leadership and members for undertaking the assessment.
She described the exercise as an encouragement to the administration to remain focused on effective grassroots governance and continue implementing projects with direct impact on the people.
The assessment comes against the backdrop of growing political activities ahead of 2027, with the Ukanafun experience underscoring the importance of measurable performance, accountability and visible development at the grassroots.
Source, Directorate of Publicity & Strategic Communication.
