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The Akwa Ibom State Government says it disbursed about ₦2.82 billion in cash-based empowerment grants to 33,149 beneficiaries over the past 12 months under its ARISE Agenda.
The disclosure was made on Friday by Governor Umo Eno, who said the empowerment programmes were designed to support farmers, traders, youths, and small business owners across the state.
According to figures released by the government, the support included multiple grant categories with fixed amounts and defined beneficiaries, alongside non-cash interventions such as equipment distribution and skills training.
Under the ARISE Agenda, Governor Eno said the administration was focused on balanced development, stating, “Under the ARISE Agenda, we are delivering life-changing projects and empowerment to every corner of Akwa Ibom. In the last year alone, we commissioned 32 key projects across healthcare, education, roads, security, tourism, and public infrastructure, and directly empowered thousands of our people.”
The empowerment component covered ₦5 million farmers’ grants for 43 beneficiaries, ₦1 million farmers’ grants for 60 beneficiaries, and ₦500,000 farmers’ grants for 696 beneficiaries. Traders received ₦250,000 grants for 464 beneficiaries, ₦1 million grants for 201 beneficiaries, and ₦450,000 grants for 696 beneficiaries. The programme also included ₦750,000 IBOM-LED grants for 121 beneficiaries and ₦50,000 youth grants for 29,618 beneficiaries.
In addition, 976 entrepreneurs received equipment support, while 274 youths benefited from training under the DASAC programme, according to the figures.
Beyond empowerment, the government reported the commissioning of 32 projects within the same 12-month period, spanning key sectors across the state.
In healthcare and emergency services, the projects included new and upgraded primary health centres in Eket, Nsit Ubium, Urue Offong Oruko, Uyo, Ika, and Udung Uko, the General Hospital in Ukanafun, the Akwa Ibom State Medical Oxygen Production Plant in Ituk Mbang, the State Emergency Operations Centre in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System, Ibom International Hospital, the upgraded Ikot Ekpene General Hospital, and a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
Education and youth development projects included several model primary schools in Obot Akara, Etinan, Itu, Okobo, Abak, Oron, and Essien Udim, as well as the Ibom Sports Academy in Eket.
Road and infrastructure projects covered internal roads at the State Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia and Ikot Udom in Ika, major road links in Ika, Uyo, Abak, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Atai, and Oruk Anam, and over 1,000 kilometres of roads completed or ongoing across the state.
Tourism and public amenities projects included the remodelled Ibom Plaza in Uyo, the ARISE Palm Resort, the upgraded Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, and the elevation of Victor Attah International Airport to full international status.
Governor Eno said the projects and programmes reflected the administration’s wider goals, adding, “These are not just projects. They are proof of our commitment to inclusive growth, human capacity development, and sustainable progress. To the great people of Akwa Ibom: Thank you for your trust. Together, we will continue to ARISE.”
The government said implementation would continue across all local government areas in the coming months ahead.
