AK-Cares programme: CHRAN tracks projects in Akwa Ibom

As part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in government, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has continued to track programmes and projects executed in Akwa Ibom State under the AK-CARES Phase 2 to ensure transparency and accountability.

On Wednesday, 17th April 2024, the CHRAN, along with a team from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Economic Development, inspected micro-projects currently being executed under the AK-CARES Phase 2 in seven (7) local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. The local government areas are Okobo, Oron, Nsit Ubium, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Abak and Oruk Anam.

At Okobo local government area, the CHRAN inspected an ICT Centre, currently undergoing construction within the premises of the Eastern Okobo High School, Obufi.

The Programme Manager for the micro-projects of AK-CARES, Mr Martins Umoh, explained that the construction of the ICT Centre, which has progressed near the roofing stage, is qualified for the release of the first tranche of funds.

Umoh stated that to qualify for the release of the first tranche of funds, 40% of the project must be attained by the project committee, drawn from the benefitting community.

Also in Obufi, Okobo local government area, the CHRAN inspected the construction of a motorised borehole, the drilling of which has been completed. The CHRAN saw that the foundation for the steel tank stand had been laid.

A member of the Obufi community, Mr Ekpo Lawrence, who lives in a house beside the motorised borehole, attested to the successful drilling of the motorised borehole, confirming that clean water has been accessed. He stated further that the tank stand and the water tanks were to be delivered on that day.

At Iquita, Oron local government area, the CHRAN witnessed, in the palace of the Village Head, Chief Owoebiak, the ongoing interface between the AK-CARES team from the Ministry of Economic Development, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development, Barr. Christopher Udoh, and the Village Head-in-Council.

The CHRAN found that the Iquita Community has yet to choose a micro-project to be executed for the community by AK-CARES. The choice was between a motorised borehole and an ICT Centre. At the end of the interface, the Iquita Community appeared rather averse or lukewarm to the projects.

At Essien Asan, Ikot Ubo, Nsit Ubium local government area, the CHRAN witnessed a motorised borehole at the advanced stage of construction. The CHRAN found that steel stands had been erected and four (4) large GP water tanks installed.

Water taps had been installed, and clean water surged when the taps were turned on. The generator house is nearing completion. A member of the community, Mr Umoren Donatus Ossom, expressed satisfaction with the level of work attained on the project and thanked the government and AK-CARES for the intervention.

At Mkpa Eto, Onna local government area, the CHRAN found that the construction of the Health Centre sited in the community is progressing steadily. Roofing is ongoing, and a committee member of the project assured that the ceiling will commence the following day. According to the Programme Manager, Mr Martins Umoh, the project committee has accessed the second tranche of funds.

At Ikot Akpa Ekop, Mkpat Enin local government area, the CHRAN also witnessed an ongoing interface between AK-CARES and the community aimed at encouraging the community to speedily settle on a site for the Health Centre that the community had chosen.

The AK-CARES team, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development, Barr. Christopher Udoh, told the Mkpa Eto community, represented by the Chairman of the Mkpa Eto Village Council, Evangelist Samuel Ayara, that the community was lagging as other benefitting communities across the State were far ahead in terms of the realisation of their chosen projects.

At Abak Itenghe, Abak local government area, the CHRAN found that the construction of a Health Centre was nearing completion, with roofing, ceiling and piping already done, and plastering ongoing. The CHRAN also found a motorised borehole already drilled with a steel tank stand and four GP water tanks installed.

At Usung Itiat, Oruk Anam local government area, the CHRAN found a motorised borehole already drilled with a steel tank stand installed. Water tanks are yet to be provided. Block work on the generator house is almost completed. The CHRAN found that construction of the Health Centre at Usung Itiat is nearing completion, with roofing, ceiling and piping already done.

The CHRAN was represented by its Secretary, Barr. Christopher Ekpo.

The AK-CARES and Ministry of Economic Development, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development, Barr. Christopher Udoh included: Mrs Enobong Okpongkpong, Team Lead, Ministry of Economic Development; Mrs Ruth Obot, Information Officer, Ministry of Economic Development; and Mr Martins Umoh, Programme Manager, Micro-Projects, AK-CARES, Ministry of Economic Development.