Nigeria: Akwa Ibom, Rep Ime Okon attracts $1mln projects to constituents in two years
The Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, says he has attracted projects worth over N1.7 billion to his constituency within the last two years.
The lawmaker, who stated this during a mid-term media chat on Monday, said the amount was aside from help rendered to over 800 individuals who presented different needs and received his immediate assistance in cash and otherwise.
Highlighting his legislative strides in his first two years, Okon noted that he has sponsored or co-sponsored eight bills and motions, including:• A bill to establish the Metallurgical and Material Engineers and Scientist Registration Board of Nigeria.• A bill to establish the Biomedical Engineers and Scientist Registration Board.• Motions on the urgent rehabilitation of the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road, the disparity between HND and BSc holders in security agencies, and the need to decongest correctional centres, among others.
Okon, who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs, said that in line with his constitutional duty of oversight, he actively participates as a committed member of ten House Committees, including Gas Resources, Healthcare Services, Host Communities, and Works. He added that he is also co-opted into three additional committees: Procurement, Basic Education, and Interior.
He, however, listed a wide range of infrastructure, empowerment, and welfare projects facilitated by his office and valued at over ₦1.7 billion, surpassing the ₦200 million project limit typically allocated to members as constituency project funds.
Some of the completed and ongoing projects listed by the lawmaker include:• Construction of a furnished six-classroom block at Technical School, Ayadehe, and a four-classroom block with toilet facilities at PCN Primary School, North Itam, Itu LGA.• Construction of the 1.5km Joshua Uwah Street, including installation of solar-powered street lights and a drainage system, in Mbak Itam III, Itu LGA.• Commissioning of an ultra-modern 450-capacity Civic Centre in Idoro and the ongoing construction of a 1000-capacity Civic Centre in Nkwa, Ibiono Ibom LGA.• Installation of solar-powered street lights in Ikot Obio Enang, Ikot Edok, and Ikpa Ikot Ubo/Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom LGA and Itu LGA.• Provision of solar-powered boreholes, roads with drainage and lighting, and digital tools.• Educational support through bursaries to over 300 students, including 18 Law School students.• Free medical outreach in Itu and Ibiono Ibom LGAs.• Empowerment through donation of cars, scholarships to children of deceased political stakeholders, and medical and welfare support to over 800 constituents.• Facilitation of employment opportunities in federal and state agencies, including the UUTH, Nigeria Police Force, and Federal Fire Service.
Hon. Ime Okon, however, corrected the widespread misconception surrounding the 2025 constituency project allocation, clarifying that while each constituency is now allotted ₦1 billion worth of projects, no cash is handed directly to lawmakers, as all projects are executed by relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
'It is important that I correct a popular misconception which has gained traction across the country, members are alleged to have been given N1 billion cash each for Constituency projects in the 2025 budget. There is no such thing; rather, each Federal Constituency is allotted Constituency projects to the tune of N1 billion in the 2025 budget.
'The difference this time is that, the project total worth was increased to N1 billion from N200 million. Also, I must emphasize that no member executes or administers projects. That is the duty of the various Ministries, Department ,and Agencies where the projects are domiciled,' he explained.
He revealed plans for a massive empowerment programme later in the year, targeting skills development and financial upliftment of constituents.
He called for continued media support, public collaboration, as well as prayers for the success of the State Governor, Umo Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and fellow federal lawmakers from Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Amos Etuk, noted that the mid-term briefing by Hon. Okon marks a strong reflection of visible, impactful, and people-centred representation.
Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
African Development Bank Concludes Strategic High-Level Mission to Ghana, Identifies Five Key Areas for Transformational Partnership
Representatives of the African Development Bank Group ( have concluded a week-long high-level mission to Ghana, marking the institution's first major engagement with the country's new administration under President John Dramani Mahama. The delegation, led by Solomon Quaynor, the Bank Group's Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization, conducted extensive consultations with key government ministries, public agencies, and private sector stakeholders, to align the Bank's support with Ghana's transformational development priorities. The agencies included the ministries of Roads and Highways; Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation; the Bank of Ghana; Volta River Authority; Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority; Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund ('GIIF'); National Pensions Regulatory Authority; National Insurance Commission, Securities Exchange Commission, Ghana Stock Exchange, Ghana Export-Import Bank, Pension Corporate Trustees and Fund Managers, and various private sector companies. The delegation also cohosted a successful one-day roundtable discussion on "Unlocking Long-term Local Currency Finance for Infrastructure Development in Ghana," jointly organized with GIIF, the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), InfraCredit, Stanbic Bank, and PetraTrust, an event that laid the foundation for domestic capital mobilization initiatives. At the conclusion of the mission, the Bank identified five core areas for follow-up collaboration: Mobilizing Domestic Capital for Infrastructure Development The Bank will work with partners to establish a credit enhancement and de-risking facility to unlock part of Ghana's USD 5.2 billion cedis equivalent in pension assets for infrastructure investment. Drawing on successful models implemented through InfraCredit in Nigeria and Dhamana in Kenya and East Africa, the initiative aims to make local infrastructure, industrial, affordable housing and public-private partnerships assets attractive to institutional investors. Supporting the 24-Hour Economy Initiative The Bank expressed strong enthusiasm for Ghana's 24-Hour Economy concept, committing to provide comprehensive project preparation support, knowledge sharing on industrial parks development, and downstream financing solutions. Key focus areas include integrated industrial parks for textiles, garments, agro-processing and light manufacturing, and lake transport infrastructure all captured under the Volta Economic Corridor. Leveraging its continental expertise, the Bank will support Ghana's 'Big Push' infrastructure initiative through partnerships with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, and the PPP Unit at the Ministry of Finance. Strengthening Digital Transformation Foundation Collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, the Bank will support critical policy and legislative reviews focusing on data harmonization, data governance, and cybersecurity enhancement to establish a robust foundation for Ghana's digital transformation. Unlocking Private Sector Investment Opportunities The mission identified numerous investment opportunities across logistics, agriculture, agro-processing, energy, and other critical sectors, emphasizing the private sector's fundamental role in sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Quaynor highlighted the success of the mission. "The enthusiasm, vision, and commitment we have witnessed this week from Ghana's leadership and stakeholders give us great confidence in the transformational impact we can achieve together." He emphasized that all identified areas will be actively pursued, with the Bank firmly committed to working with all stakeholders to drive sustainable economic growth and development for Ghana, noting that the alignment between the government's priorities and the Bank's strategic capabilities creates an unprecedented opportunity for meaningful collaboration and impact. The mission concluded with firm commitments for follow-up action across all identified areas, emphasizing the Bank's dedication to forging concrete partnerships that deliver tangible results for Ghana's economic transformation and improved livelihoods for its people. Other members of the Bank's delegation were Eyerusalem Fasika, Country Manager for Ghana; Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development; Ousmane Fall, Director of Private Sector and Industrial and Trade Development; Akane Zoukpo Sanankoua, Manager, Capital Markets Development; Aude Apetey-Kacou, Regional NSO Lead, West Africa; Dennis Ansah, Regional NSO Lead, Nigeria and Dovi Amouzou, Advisor to the Vice President. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media Contact: Kwasi Kpodo Communication and External Relations About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Philippine Ambassador Presents Letter of Credence as Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Philippine Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mr. Mersole J. Mellejor presented his Letter of Credence signed by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, designating him as Philippine Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, in a ceremony held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in the Nigerian capital Abuja on 16 June 2025. This is the first time that the Philippines has an accredited permanent representative to the ECOWAS since its establishment under the Treaty of Lagos in May 1975. While the Philippines is not an ECOWAS member, having a permanent representative is a welcome development allowing attendance in ECOWAS meetings/activities, which offer good networking opportunities and more visibility for the country in line with its thrust for a more focused engagement with Africa. ECOWAS was formed in 1975 originally by 15 countries in Western Africa: namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sénégal and Togo. Cabo Verde joined in 1977. Mauritania withdrew in December 2000 but subsequently signed an associate-membership agreement in August 2017. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew on 29 January 2025 following the establishment of military rule in these countries, which is deemed contrary to ECOWAS principles. At present, ECOWAS has 12 members. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
Nigeria's President Tinubu to Bring Bold Energy Reforms to African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Stage
African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies is proud to announce that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will address delegates at Africa's premier energy event in Cape Town. President Tinubu's participation comes as Nigeria undergoes one of the most ambitious reform drives in its oil, gas and broader energy sectors – a drive that is reshaping the country's investment climate and unlocking multi-billion-dollar opportunities across the value chain. Since assuming office, President Tinubu has spearheaded a wide-ranging program to reposition Nigeria as a top-tier destination for energy investment. In May 2025, he signed an Executive Order on Oil&Gas Reforms, aimed at overhauling project delivery frameworks and significantly reducing costs across the industry. The Order introduces streamlined contracting processes, tax incentives and the removal of regulatory and local content compliance bottlenecks, with a target of cutting upstream project costs by up to 40%. Such reforms are designed to make Nigeria's operating environment globally competitive and unlock billions of dollars in new investments. In the past year, Nigeria has secured over $8 billion in deepwater oil and gas final investment decisions, signaling a renewed appetite among international investors. ExxonMobil, for example, has committed $1.5 billion to new deepwater field developments. Shell is also strengthening its position in deepwater and integrated gas – recently increasing its stake in OML 118, which includes the prolific deepwater Bonga field – while Chevron is expanding operations at the Agbami field, one of Nigeria's largest deepwater discoveries. Meanwhile, Petrobras has declared its interest in returning to deepwater exploration in Nigeria, seeking frontier acreage as a result of improved regulatory clarity and investor-friendly reforms. The country has also unveiled major new initiatives to promote local content and industrial growth, with multi-billion-dollar investments directed at building domestic capacity in fabrication, engineering and services. This includes the 'Naira for Crude' initiative, which aims to promote local refining, enhance energy security and reduce reliance on foreign currency in the domestic oil market. Beyond upstream developments, Nigeria is advancing its gas monetization strategy and reviving refining capacity to enhance energy security and drive industrialization. The ongoing operational ramp-up of the 650,000-bpd Dangote refinery – the largest on the continent – is set to begin nationwide distribution of petrol and diesel later this year. The refinery, along with new investments in petrochemical plants, storage facilities and pipeline infrastructure, is expected to help end Nigeria's decades-long reliance on gasoline imports, a trade valued at $17 billion. The U.S., European and global investor community is increasingly engaging with Nigeria as a strategic partner for energy supply diversification and clean energy integration, further solidifying the country's position as a leading force in Africa's energy landscape. 'Nigeria under President Tinubu is showing the world how decisive policy reforms can directly translate into investor confidence and tangible project commitments,' said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. 'What's happening in Nigeria today is a case study for other African producers: it demonstrates that by cutting red tape, streamlining processes and providing fiscal certainty, countries can attract capital on a large scale while creating real value for their people. We are honored to welcome President Tinubu to AEW 2025 to share this important success story.' President Tinubu's address at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies will provide a unique opportunity for African and global stakeholders to gain insights into Nigeria's evolving oil and gas sector, the government's strategy for long-term energy security and the country's vision for sustainable industrial development. His leadership is setting a benchmark for how resource-rich nations can balance competitiveness, local value creation and inclusive growth. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
