GOV Eno To Complete Ibom Tropicana And Others
By Emmanuel Uffot
In line with his pre-electiin promise to complete both ongoing and abandoned projects of his predecessors, Governor Umo Eno has ordered immediate reclamation of all trespassed portions of the 82- hectare landed property acquired for the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, as he moves to complete the moribund and uncompleted parts of the facility.
The Governor gave the order while
undertaking an inspection tour of the theme park, the 14 – storey Tropicana hotel building and the 5000 – capacity Conference facility at the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
As a positive move to ensure the completion of the supposed world class entertainment park, he had earlier held a re-evaluation meeting with major contractors on the project. He re-echoed that the visit was informed by his resolve to attend to critical infrastructure that have potentials to grow the State’s economy.
He further explained that his drive to reclaim the facility was also in furtherance of his pledge to complete uncompleted projects initiated by previous administrations and make them functional.
“We have resolved to put the past behind us. We have structures on ground, what I’m doing now is to see all of the vision, what it was all about, how we can link them together and how we can revive it. This can give several thousands of jobs to Akwa Ibomites.
“We’ve been trying to create a theme park at the Udo Udoma Cenotaph but seeing what we have here, why do I need to duplicate? Why do I have to start something new when we have something here we can build on,” he stated.
Governor Eno therefore directed the Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong, (rtd.) to avail him with the survey plan of the entire land area that was acquired by Government for the project, with intent to sack trespassers and bring down illegal structures.
He also directed the Commissioner Ministry of Special Duties Engineer Bassey Okon who was in the entourage, to ensure the cleaning of the entire area, and the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien, (rtd.), to immediately take over the security of the entire facility, sounding a warning to vandals and hoodlums to stay off the facility as Government will not hesitate to prosecute any violator on the facility henceforth.
“This is Akwa Ibom money and so my duty as Governor is to protect the assets of Government, life and property of the people. Government has sunk in so much money here and so I believe we can look at it.
“For me, what is important, going forward, is how we can reclaim this place and make it functional. Behind us is an International Conference Centre. People come here for conferences and conventions. I understand we were named Tourists State of the Year 2023, and when people see your efforts and recognize you for doing something, it means they expect more from you,”.
In the Governor’s team were the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Commissioner for Special Duties, Engineer Bassey Okon, Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd), as well as contractors for the project, and consultant.
The Ibom Tropicana was built by former Governor Senator Godswill Akpabio as a one stop entertainment park. It had a shopping mall, cinema hall and amusement park among others.
But although the Ibom Tropicana was commissioned by the then Governor before leaving office, it was not totally complete with all the facilities in the plan ready.
Apart from Ibom Tropicana which is a legacy of Akpabio, Governor has also initiated move to complete the International Worship Centre which is the pet project of his immediate predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.
Like the Tropicana, even as the Worship Centre was commissioned before former Governor Emmanuel left office and is being put into use, it is yet to be fully completed.
Obong Victor Attah’s projects that were not completed as at the time he left office, has also come under the radar of Pastor Eno.
One of the them is the abandoned Industrial Park. The Governor has pledged to complete it. Same with Ibom Deep Seaport.
By Emmanuel Uffot
In line with his pre-electiin promise to complete both ongoing and abandoned projects of his predecessors, Governor Umo Eno has ordered immediate reclamation of all trespassed portions of the 82- hectare landed property acquired for the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, as he moves to complete the moribund and uncompleted parts of the facility.
The Governor gave the order while
undertaking an inspection tour of the theme park, the 14 – storey Tropicana hotel building and the 5000 – capacity Conference facility at the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
As a positive move to ensure the completion of the supposed world class entertainment park, he had earlier held a re-evaluation meeting with major contractors on the project. He re-echoed that the visit was informed by his resolve to attend to critical infrastructure that have potentials to grow the State’s economy.
He further explained that his drive to reclaim the facility was also in furtherance of his pledge to complete uncompleted projects initiated by previous administrations and make them functional.
“We have resolved to put the past behind us. We have structures on ground, what I’m doing now is to see all of the vision, what it was all about, how we can link them together and how we can revive it. This can give several thousands of jobs to Akwa Ibomites.
“We’ve been trying to create a theme park at the Udo Udoma Cenotaph but seeing what we have here, why do I need to duplicate? Why do I have to start something new when we have something here we can build on,” he stated.
Governor Eno therefore directed the Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong, (rtd.) to avail him with the survey plan of the entire land area that was acquired by Government for the project, with intent to sack trespassers and bring down illegal structures.
He also directed the Commissioner Ministry of Special Duties Engineer Bassey Okon who was in the entourage, to ensure the cleaning of the entire area, and the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien, (rtd.), to immediately take over the security of the entire facility, sounding a warning to vandals and hoodlums to stay off the facility as Government will not hesitate to prosecute any violator on the facility henceforth.
“This is Akwa Ibom money and so my duty as Governor is to protect the assets of Government, life and property of the people. Government has sunk in so much money here and so I believe we can look at it.
“For me, what is important, going forward, is how we can reclaim this place and make it functional. Behind us is an International Conference Centre. People come here for conferences and conventions. I understand we were named Tourists State of the Year 2023, and when people see your efforts and recognize you for doing something, it means they expect more from you,”.
In the Governor’s team were the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Commissioner for Special Duties, Engineer Bassey Okon, Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd), as well as contractors for the project, and consultant.
The Ibom Tropicana was built by former Governor Senator Godswill Akpabio as a one stop entertainment park. It had a shopping mall, cinema hall and amusement park among others.
But although the Ibom Tropicana was commissioned by the then Governor before leaving office, it was not totally complete with all the facilities in the plan ready.
Apart from Ibom Tropicana which is a legacy of Akpabio, Governor has also initiated move to complete the International Worship Centre which is the pet project of his immediate predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.
Like the Tropicana, even as the Worship Centre was commissioned before former Governor Emmanuel left office and is being put into use, it is yet to be fully completed.
Obong Victor Attah’s projects that were not completed as at the time he left office, has also come under the radar of Pastor Eno.
One of the them is the abandoned Industrial Park. The Governor has pledged to complete it. Same with Ibom Deep Seaport.
