Governor Umo Eno has revealed that Akwa Ibom State has not taken a single loan in the last two years despite ongoing infrastructure projects.
Speaking during his investiture as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Uyo on Friday, May 23, Eno said his administration has managed its finances without resorting to borrowing.
“As we stand today, we have not in the last two years borrowed a dime from anybody,” he said. “We have been building a serving pool from the funds that came to us to be able to seamlessly finance our projects and development.”
He attributed the state’s financial stability to President Bola Tinubu’s policies, which he said have helped increase both federal and state revenues.
“This wouldn’t have been possible if our President didn’t take some serious decisions to maximize the revenue of the country and that of the States,” Eno said.
The governor also outlined his ambition to turn Akwa Ibom into a top tourist destination. He cited ongoing projects like the reconstruction of a 5,000-seater International Conference Centre and the construction of a 200-room hotel as part of this push.
“We are developing our infrastructures to be able to support tourism,” he said. “And I think that the next time you come, by the grace of God, our International Conference Centre, with a capacity for holding five thousand people with several break-out rooms and two hundred bed-hotel by it, as well as a shopping city should be ready. It is an 18-month project, and we are very deliberate about it.”
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According to him, “We believe that our programmes towards diversification of our economy are tilting towards tourism, and we are developing tourism assets across the State that will make any visitor want to spend time here.”
Eno was officially inducted as Patron of the NIPR during the event. Accepting the honour, he pledged to uphold the values of the institute.
He said, “I promise to abide by the code of conduct that governs the Institute as well as support the ideals of the organisation.”
The NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, who led the investiture, said the honour was based on the governor’s role as a moral and strategic compass for the institute.
He described the Patron’s role as “the guiding light of the NIPR in promoting the organisation’s code, professional standard and solemn commitment to creating a more reputation-conscious society where the dignity and pride of all people and cultures in the land are respected.”
The ceremony was part of the Nigerian Public Relations Week held in Uyo, themed “Beyond Headlines: Harnessing Public Relations for Economic Renaissance.”
It drew members of the state executive council, political leaders, and public relations professionals from across the country.