Eket Urban Has No Roads, Says Governor Eno’s Campaign Chief

Assam Assam, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and a close ally of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, has questioned the government’s claims about road development in Eket. He said, "there’s no road at all in Eket urban area."

Mr Assam, a senior advocate of Nigeria, was the director-general of Governor Eno’s campaign in the 2023 governorship election. He is often called the DG of Government Business in Akwa Ibom.

He made this statement when media workers from Eket Federal Constituency visited him at his home in Eket. The team was led by Essien Ndueso, Mr Eno’s aide on Research and Documentation, as seen in a video posted on Facebook on Sunday.

It is not clear when the video was recorded. Mr Assam’s comments are notable because he was the director-general of Mr Eno’s 2023 campaign and later moved with the governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is also the APC political leader for the Eket Senatorial District.

During the visit, Mr Essien said the governor has done well in Eket Federal Constituency, especially concerning projects and political appointments. He pointed out that more than seven media professionals from the constituency now work as media aides to the governor.

Mr Essien called on political office holders to be more accessible and accountable. He wants better cooperation between public officials and media workers. He said this would help officials explain their work to the people and understand what the people need.

He added that some community needs could be addressed better through regular engagement between political leaders and the media. Mr Assam responded by saying the state government must do more in Eket Urban, despite the road projects it has announced there.

He said, "That I said the government must have visibility for doing a 12km road in Eket because there’s no road at all in the Eket Urban area." He dismissed the claim about road construction, stating, "Forget about this one, they did from Atabong Bridge to Esuene Square. Even Grace Bill Road has not been done."

Mr Assam pointed out a “5.67km” road corridor that starts from Atabong Bridge and passes through RCC before crossing Eket-Oron Road to Afaha Ukwa Road, Government Secondary School, and Marina. He said, "That road is 5.67km. Everybody within and outside this community uses that road. I ask that the road be built so that it can provide access to …"

His statements seem to go against the state government’s report on its infrastructure projects in Eket. In June, Channels TV reported that Mr Eno opened 4.8 kilometres of roads in the Eket Local Government Area.

These projects included the 2.4-kilometre Ikot Akpa Ikpo, Urua Udo Inyang Road and another 2.4-kilometre road network in Mkpok Estate Phases I and II. Channels TV also said Mr Eno claimed his government was building about 38 kilometres of roads across Eket, with various stages of completion, and that another 12 kilometres were planned.

During his visit to the area, Mr Eno also checked on the ongoing Afaha Atai road projects. But Mr Assam focused his criticism on Eket Urban, not the entire Eket Local Government Area. This raises questions about whether the government’s broader road construction numbers truly reflect the road conditions in the urban area.

Despite his criticisms, Mr Assam urged residents and political appointees to support the governor. He said, "I want you all to have it at the back of your mind that the government must be encouraged. Our brothers and sisters appointed to public service should also assist the governor. The burden of governance is huge. We should try to lessen his burden."

He also asked for better use of government-built schools and health centres. He believes infrastructure will not matter without well-trained teachers and proper care for public facilities. The Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, did not respond to calls for his thoughts on Mr Assam’s comments.

The government’s road program is also reflected in the 2026 budget. A review by PREMIUM TIMES shows that N3.85 billion was set aside for various road projects in Eket. This includes major inter-community roads, estate roads, and roads within the city.

The budget does not include roads connecting to other local government areas. It provides N300 million for the 2.4km Ikot Akpa Ikpo, Urua Udo Inyang Road, which Mr Eno opened in June.

N400 million was allocated for 1.4km of internal roads in Mkpok Estate Phase I, while N300 million was set aside for another 1.0km in Phase II. The government also allocated N300 million for the 3.55km Afaha Atai, Eko Ikwa Road, N250 million for the 1.4km Iseyiridua, Afaha Atai Road, and N300 million for the 3km Idung Imoh Road.

N300 million was allocated for the 1.55km Ndue Eduo, Ikot Akpaenang Road with a spur to the health centre. The budget also includes N300 million for Archibong Udo Avenue in Ikot Ibiok, N200 million for Akpadiaha Street, and N200 million for the rehabilitation of Prince Eket Road in Okon Eket.

Another N300 million was set aside for internal roads in Ndue Eduo Eket and N300 million for building Odungide Street, Ekanem Street, Akanimo Lane, and John Eshiet Street. N500 million was provided for selected roads and junctions in Eket metropolis.

The budget also has N200 million for the reconstruction of the 3.3km Idua Road. However, it does not specify the lengths for some projects.

Despite these budget allocations, PREMIUM TIMES found out that many of the projects listed in the 2026 budget had not started yet. Just because there is a budget does not mean that a project has begun, that the full amount has been released, or that the money has been spent.

The 3.3km Idua Road raises questions about funding continuity under different administrations. This road was started under former Governor Udom Emmanuel and was already in progress when Mr Eno took over.

Under Mr Eno, it was listed in the budget as the reconstruction of the road, with a N1 billion allocation in the 2023 budget. Mr Eno commissioned the road on 4 May 2024. But budget documents show funding continued even after the road was commissioned.

The 2025 budget recorded a revised provision of N450 million, with N253.25 million spent as of September 2024, while another N500 million was set aside for 2025. The road also received N200 million in the 2026 budget.

These continuous allocations do not necessarily mean something is wrong. They could be for outstanding payments or other obligations related to the project. However, the budget documents do not give enough detail to explain why the road continues to get funding after its commissioning.