Mary Emmanuel

The Executive Chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. (Evangelist) Edidiong Inyang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency and prudent management of public funds, stressing that every money accruing to the council must be judiciously utilised for the benefit of the people.

Inyang stated this on Monday, October 5, 2026, during a media briefing held at the Chairman’s Conference Room to mark the second anniversary of his administration and the 30th anniversary of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. He explained that his administration had adopted a policy of ensuring that council resources were channelled into projects and programmes capable of touching the lives of residents across the various communities.

According to him, public funds must not be spent indiscriminately, noting that his administration had established a Humanitarian Office to properly investigate and document requests for assistance before such support is approved. He said the approach was designed to ensure that assistance reached genuine beneficiaries and that proper records were maintained for accountability.

The Chairman said his administration inherited structures and facilities from previous administrations but chose to remodel and improve them rather than abandon them. He disclosed that the Council Secretariat had undergone extensive remodelling, including improvements to the entrance, ground floors, offices and other facilities, in a bid to create a conducive working environment for staff and the executive and legislative arms of the council.

Inyang also disclosed that his administration was constructing and furnishing an ultra-modern Legislative Chamber, which, according to him, was inspired by designs he encountered during a visit to facilities associated with the United Nations. He expressed confidence that, upon completion, the chamber would rank among the best local government legislative facilities in Akwa Ibom State.

He further listed the provision of an ambulance to support primary healthcare services and emergency response, rehabilitation of boreholes in communities including Owut Uta and Ikot Akpabio Edung, and provision of water facilities to rural communities as some of the administration’s interventions in the health and social welfare sectors.

The Chairman said the administration had also provided transformers to communities across the wards, with 11 transformers delivered to address electricity needs, while efforts were being made to extend electricity infrastructure to areas requiring additional support.

In the education sector, Inyang highlighted scholarship grants to students of Ibesikpo Asutan in tertiary institutions, payment of external NECO fees for more than 100 secondary school students, provision of school materials to primary school pupils and sponsorship of the 2026 inter-school quiz competition, which he said had helped identify and encourage talented young people in the area.

On infrastructure and rural development, the Chairman mentioned road grading across the wards, construction of an ultra-modern village hall at Mbierebe Obio, groundbreaking for an ultra-modern Traditional Rulers Council Administration Block and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of an ultra-modern market at Nung Udoe.

He said the administration had also remodelled the Council Secretariat, constructed an ultra-modern administration block, improved the Chairman’s office and renovated facilities within the executive and legislative wings of the council.

The Chairman further disclosed that the administration had instituted monthly stipends for the 79 village heads representing the 79 villages in Ibesikpo Asutan, as well as support for youth and community leadership structures, stressing that the welfare of traditional and community leaders remained important to effective grassroots administration.

On security, Inyang said the council had strengthened its security architecture through a properly constituted task force and other measures aimed at protecting residents and maintaining peace across the local government area.

He attributed the achievements recorded by his administration to the cooperation of the people and the support of the Akwa Ibom State Government, expressing appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for providing an enabling environment for local governments to pursue development initiatives.

The Chairman appealed to the people of Ibesikpo Asutan for continued cooperation, stressing that the development vision of his administration could only be sustained through collective responsibility, accountability and support from residents.