- …as state records 1,106 surgeries under health insurance scheme
By AmanamHillary Umo-Udofia & Emma Akpabio
UYO (CONVERSEER) – Akwa Ibom State has recorded 126,000 consultations, 1,106 surgeries and 1,012 vaginal deliveries under its State Health Insurance Scheme, as the administration of Governor Umo Eno continues to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
At the February Monthly Media Briefing of the Government of Akwa Ibom State, held at the Government House Press Centre, Uyo, on Monday, the Commissioners for Finance, Health, and Women Affairs presented scorecards highlighting fiscal reforms, sectoral achievements, and infrastructure expansion under the ARISE Agenda, 33 months into the administration.
Governor Umo Eno has also cleared N39.83 billion in inherited commercial bank debt, repositioning the state’s financial management architecture even as construction activities intensify across major projects, transforming Akwa Ibom into what officials describe as a vast work site.
Presenting a brief on the February 2026 achievements of the state government, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, described Akwa Ibom as “a construction site” and outlined the scale of physical development across the state, noting that contractors are currently mobilised to multiple project sites.
He cited the rapid construction of the ARISE Palm Resort, ongoing repairs of 83 pothole sections within Uyo metropolis, and the total reconstruction of Aka Itiam Street as evidence of sustained urban renewal.
Umanah disclosed that the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the management of the ARISE Palm Resort and Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, while work is progressing toward delivering a 5,000-capacity convention centre and a 200-bed Ibom Hotel at the Tropicana Complex. A franchise arrangement for Four Points by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene is also underway as part of efforts to strengthen tourism and hospitality infrastructure.
Beyond urban projects, the Commissioner reported that more than 1,200 kilometres of roads have been constructed and 32 bridges delivered or commenced across the state. Agricultural initiatives, including the Ibom Model Farm, ARISE Home Farms Scheme and Back-to-Farm Initiative, are driving increased productivity, while over 500,000 vulnerable households continue to benefit from the free food distribution programme. The introduction of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mass Transit Scheme is also easing transportation costs.
In the social sector, 31 Model Primary Healthcare Centres and 31 Model Schools were reported to be operational across all local government areas, with 121 projects rehabilitated under SUBEB. Recruitment of 3,000 workers and 2,000 health personnel is strengthening public service delivery. According to him, security has been reinforced through the establishment of a Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, deployment of a 4,500-member Ibom Community Watch, and operationalisation of a Security Command Centre.
The Commissioner also highlighted welfare interventions, including the presentation of a newly built three-bedroom bungalow and seven self-contained apartments to a family in Atabong, Eket, whose home was destroyed by fire. In February alone, N2.3 billion was paid in gratuities, contributing to over N80 billion cleared in pension and gratuity arrears since 2023. Implementation of the N80,000 minimum wage and consistent payment of 13th-month salaries were cited as indicators of fiscal stability.
Providing details of the financial reset, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Almond Bob, announced that the administration has fully cleared N39.83 billion in inherited commercial bank debts, covering both principal and interest. He added that the gratuity backlog inherited at N110 billion has been reduced by N80 billion as of February 2026.
According to the Finance Commissioner, the state’s investment portfolio has grown from N6 billion to N10 billion, generating N260.646 million in returns as of June 2025. Annual financial statements are now prepared and published in line with internationally accepted best practices, while Public Financial Management assessments have strengthened fiscal oversight and informed the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account.
Through staff and pensioners’ verification exercises, he maintained that over 3,000 ghost workers were removed from the payroll, creating fiscal space for new employment. He added that the Treasury Single Account is now fully operational, with all Internally Generated Revenue paid through the AkwaRemit platform into the consolidated state account.
Speaking further, Bob said the state has also published annual Debt Sustainability Analyses and quarterly debt profiles, securing eligibility for donor partnerships. The government obtained a $3.585 million State Action on Business Enabling Reform (SABER) drawdown and a €500,000 NEWMAP drawdown for erosion and flood control interventions.
Additional milestones include N321.8 million disbursed as housing loans to 212 civil servants, ongoing repayment of Afrexim credit facilities linked to Ibom Power, sustained financial support for Ibom Air operations, prompt payment of contractors, and over 85 per cent budget performance. Enhanced citizens’ participation has resulted in the 2025 and 2026 budgets being largely driven by citizen-nominated projects.
Presenting a one-year scorecard after his inauguration, Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel, highlighted key achievements including accreditation of the College of Nursing, resolution of indexing issues, payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund, house officer trainings, organisation of 19 capacity-building workshops, and establishment of a 76-seated CBT centre at the School of Health Technology.
Under the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management and Ambulance System (AKISEMSAS), Dr Ekem disclosed that out of 2,507 emergencies attended to as of December 31, 2025, 708 were transported while 1,799 were stabilised on site. He also noted that maintenance of the specialist hospital facility has remained on course even as other major state projects advance.
Highlighting further achievements in the health sector, Dr Ekem said that out of 179,000 persons enrolled under the State Health Insurance Scheme, 126,000 consultations have been conducted, 1,106 surgeries recorded, 1,012 vaginal deliveries performed, and 8,200 referrals made from primary to secondary healthcare facilities.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas, summarised interventions targeting vulnerable groups, highlighting the completion and handover of 335 Compassionate Homes to needy families, distribution of monthly support grants and N50,000 unemployment benefits to youths, training for over 10,000 young people and SMEs, and programmes supporting women’s economic empowerment and social inclusion.
On the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr Frank Ekpenyong, noted that the AkwaRemit platform has significantly enhanced revenue transparency and accountability across Ministries, Departments and Agencies. He added that this digital reform is complemented by other technology-driven initiatives, including the Public Servants Verification Portal, which has strengthened data integrity and payroll efficiency.
He further announced that Governor Umo Eno has approved the ARISE Tech Talent Accelerator Programme, a structured digital skills initiative to be hosted at the Akwa Ibom Youth Development Hub, currently under construction by the State Government. According to him, selected trainees will receive comprehensive training and support to sit for globally recognised, industry-standard certification examinations aligned with their chosen technology fields.
Earlier, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, while setting the tone for the monthly media briefing, admonished journalists to remain active participants in the exercise. Describing Governor Eno as one of the most media-friendly governors in Nigeria, Udoh assured attendees that the briefing would remain a continuous engagement platform.
