BY JOSEPH OKON
The man Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, the Honourable Commissioner for Works Akwa Ibom State has become very famous in the state both politically, economically, and otherwise.
The name means different things to different people. For some, it’s an intimidating political force that quells all forms of disunity, dishonesty, falsehood, and many other forms of anti people tendency in the polity.
But in the business of governance and delivery of the dividend of democracy, the man Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen is a pragmatic go-getter who cannot fail in anything he sets in to achieve. His enthusiasm to get things done makes him more practical in keeping with the vision of his boss, Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Through the focused leadership of Mr Ephraim Inyang-Eyen as the commissioner for works, the campaign promises of the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel in terms of infrastructural consolidation and expansion has become a reality in Akwa Ibom State. He has brought a lot of ingenuity and innovations to road infrastructure in the State. With the meager resources accruing to the State, the commissioner has judiciously utilized well all funds allocated to the Ministry of Works.
As a disciplined leader, he allows honesty, hard-work, and commitment to be his guiding principles. These virtues have in no small measure endeared him to his boss the Governor. Since he came on board as the commissioner for works, he has given a new face to road constructions in the State. Areas that never had good roads are today shinning with not just a road but quality road constructions that will stand the test of time.
One unique thing about Ephraim Inyang-Eyen is that he believes in giving permanent solutions to road infrastructures. He has set machineries on motion to completely de-flood especially Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom state in the next few years. This is in consolidation with the efforts of the immediate past administration underground pipe jacking system.
The commissioner is one man who believes so much in achieving results instead of giving excuses. His forward looking character has made him even more stronger in adversity, and coupled with his good nature of caring for others has made him a happy man always.
True to his name which means ‘fruitful’, the tenure of this pragmatic administrator, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen in the state Ministry of works has been very fruitful and is yielding tangible dividends for Akwa Ibom people who are today celebrating his good works in the State.
He has mapped out a well articulated strategy to establish a linkage of roads that connect all local government areas in the State to the city centre, with a vision to ensure good roads connectivity that links each other. Under this plan, government will not construct roads and stop with ensuring that it connects with another road that has a link with another. The plan is to help in accessibility of all the local government areas within the shortest possible time.
As the chief adviser to the Governor on road matters, the Commissioner who clearly understands the vision of his boss has brought to bear his good nature in the distribution of road infrastructures in the entire State cutting across local government areas, Federal constituencies, and Senatorial Districts. The projects are equitably distributed within the reach of lean state resources without any form of nepotism, tribalism or ethnicity being allow set in. priority attention is mostly given to roads the commissioner term as ‘economic roads’, these are roads that are of economic important and add value for the state.
In line with the industralization agenda of the present government, the commissioner for works has structured roads in such a way that will enable factory raw material to be accessible and enhance export of finished products. The roads are also constructed in such a way that will enhance accessibility of farms which the government has established to consolidate industralization.
In his quest to mend loopholes and block financial leakages in handling of both compensations and construction, the commissioner has shown strength of character despite all tensions, and remain firm in his commitment to give Akwa Ibom the best. Kickback and outrageous compensations has become a thing of the past. Today, jobs are given to contractors in Akwa Ibom based on excellent performance not on sorting. Having known the character of the man heading the works ministry, contractors are now on competition for excellent job delivery in order not to be blacklisted.
Because the government is sincere, some contractors could go out of their way and borrow money to complete projects with full assurance of getting the money from government once it is available.
Despite all attempts by persons to drag Ephraim Inyang at collision path with the immediate past administration by either misquoting him or misinterpreting his intentions hit the rock because of his leadership prowess. He remains focus and committed to his set goals, and has refused to be distracted by those who do not wish him well. Without bias and sentiments, he keeps sailing on the course of delivering tangible dividends of democracy.
Hate him or love him, Akwa Ibom people will give it to Ephraim Inyang anytime that he is a man with integrity and strength of character that is unbeatable. He is also a man whose word is his bond, not given to pettiness or sluggishness. Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen who is always described as a super commissioner has no doll moment. His show of maturity in governance has been a stabilizing factor in the state polity.
This is one man that has risen above every bias in the discharge of his ministerial responsibilities. He gives prompt attention to any matter that falls within jurisdiction. On many occasions, the working commissioner for works has gone out of his way to rescue any situation brought to his attention.
As a good political mixer, he clearly understands what the people expect from Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration especially in the area of infrastructural development. These he is pursuing with vigor.
Today, the Akwa Ibom state ministry of works under the visionary leadership of Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen has been able to reposition the state in terms of building roads. Every part of the state has been turned into a construction site. Apart from ensuring completion of on-going projects left by the immediate past administration like the prestigious dual carriage Uyo/ Ikot Ekpene road which has reached advanced completion, other on-going roads has received serious attention from the ministry.
Work has progressed rapidly on the dual carnage 19.7km Uyo-Etinan road and on-going construction of 39.7km Etinan Ndon Eyo road with two bridges and a spur, while the dualized Eket/ Ibeno road has reached near completion. Serious attention has also been given to the dual carage Uyo/ Oron road spanning from Nsit Atai to Okopedi Okobo through Oron. These three major dual carage roads holds a huge economic value for the state.
The 6.4km Nto Edino-Ekwerre Azu road in Obot Akara has advanced to completion, while the dualized Eket road has already become a reality. These the government is doing with a very meager resources.
In the last one year and some months, the commissioner has given massive attention on these direction which yielded the the following results, Construction and commissioning of information drive, and 6.6km road in Atan Offot in Uyo, Construction of 7.3km Ikot Ebekpo-Ikot Ebidang road, completion and commissioning of Ikot Udom road with15m span bridge in Ibiono Ibom local government area, completion of 5km Ikot Usop-Ikot Edeghe-Ikot Ekpuk road with 30m span bridge in Mkpat Enin local government area, Completion of 5km Mkpok Ukat road in Onna local government area, and urban renewal projects within Eket township.
Other millstones recorded by Ephraim Inyang led ministry of works includes; completion of 1.2km underground drainage system that controls flood from Nsikak Eduok to Udo Udoma, spanning through tropicana and connect to Ibesikpo Asutan, completion of five outfalls urban roads in Oron, construction of three collapsed bridges and internal roads in Obot Akara local government area, and almost completion of the 43km Ikot Okoro-Ikot Ibritam/ Afaha Ikot Ekefe road.
Work is at the advance stage on Idiaba-Nda Nsit/ Nung Udoe road, while the 4.6km School of Arts and Science road, Nung Ukim Ikono has been completed, and completion of internal road and classroom blocks in Cornelia Cornelly College. These is coupled with emergency erroson interventions on Dominic Utuk, Calabar Itu road, Oron, and many other parts of the state that was almost cut-off by erosion
Indeed, the roll call of projects undertaken by the ministry of works under the able leadership of Mr Ephraim Inyang is endless.
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