Eket is the second largest city in Akwa Ibom State. It is the thriving hub of oil and gas business. Its contributions to the swelling height of the state and country’s economy speak volume of it rich endowment in natural resources.
In the 80’s, Eket was a metropolitan cynosure, attracting global investors and pleasure seeking personalities to it serene environment.
The antiquated model of this city according to General Etukudoh (Rtd.) in the 80’s as developed by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC),was designed to meet standards in terms of roads, structures, vegetation, etc., crediting the oil and gas discovery and exploration in the region.
Since Nigerian roads lack maintenance culture, Eket became a victim of this uncultured setting; the once ambiance of tranquility faded, the beautiful roads constructed got dilapidated, structures withered, drainages were blocked causing water-lock and flood on the streets thus, leaving Eket in a state that begged for resuscitation from governments and resident companies.
These yearnings triggered a swift intervention project tagged: “Operation fill portholes” by the Caretaker Chairman, Hon. Frank Archibong to curtail road hazards as part of his contribution to the community under his watch.
From the old model of Eket City as described by Etukudoh, one could say that there was a great need to improvise and review the already existing plan of the city to befit the 21st century model i.e. single lanes to dual carriages, water-lock areas to have world class drainages to aid de-flood the affiliate roads, etc., which gives birth to the Udom Emmanuel’s concept of remodeling after many years of unheard yelling and prayers.
Not too many people understand the concept of Eket Urban remodeling project undertaken by the Udom’s administration.
To some persons, it is a conventional road construction that intends to rebuild dilapidated structures and drainages, but in actual sense, the idea as conceived by the promulgator is geared towards giving the oil rich region a facelift that will signpost their contributions to the growth of the state and country’s economy over the years.
The theory of this development veers from the predictable road construction; it places priority on a model that will return the Eket Metropolitan city of the old and control the deplorable state of water floods on the metropolis, planting also on side seeable vegetations to invoke the lost beautification.
The remodeling project handled by Niger Pet Structures, a renowned construction service company in Nigeria, is focused on light- heavy civil and structural engineering design and construction, concrete and asphalt paving, water reticulation and installation of high security fencing, is segmented in phases towards it successful completion.
Eket Urban as redesigned has in its phase one the construction ofAtabong/Idua road junction, expansion of Atabong road across Okpongkpong bridge, construction of underground/ surface storm drainage/ outfall for erosion control from Atabong, hospital, Liverpool, Asang, Etebi and Iduaroad respectively, fountain, pedestrian bridges and lighting, and has attained 70% completion with special beautification features.
This project according to His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is a task that must be completed soonest irrespective of the recessive state of the country’s economy.
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