Ukanafun Leads The Way: ANPA Commends Ukpanah’s Grassroots Development Drive in A'Ibom
By Imoh Essien (Uyo)
The Association of Nigeria Publishers, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, ANPA, has given Hon. (Prince) Uyo Ukpanah’s administration in Ukanafun Local Government a strong performance rating following an on-the-spot assessment of projects in the council.
According to ANPA, visible developments in infrastructure, healthcare, road grading, staff welfare and community projects show that the council chairman is delivering on his mandate.
With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the Ukanafun example highlights a key political reality: at the grassroots, results speak louder than promises.
The ANPA team arrived at the Ukanafun Council Secretariat at about 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday. They were received by the Secretary to the Council, Pastor Hon. Dr. Ubong Odudu Jonah, who lauded the publishers for the assessment tour.
Ukanafun LGA, created in 1976, has 13 wards and 87 gazetted villages.
Led by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Council Secretary, ANPA members inspected both completed and ongoing projects within the secretariat complex.
Key Projects Inspected:
- A modern administrative block named after the late Obong (Barr.) Asuquo J. Ukpanah
- A completed and furnished Women Development Centre, also housing the Office of the First Lady, named after late Mrs. Patience Umo Eno
- A 20-room office complex built for staff welfare
- A remodelled and furnished Legislative Chamber
- A 100KVA Mikano generator powering the secretariat
- The ongoing Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, nearing completion
The administration also listed:
1. Roads: Grading of roads across all 13 wards to improve access
2. Health: Construction of a Primary Healthcare Centre at Ikot Ebok
3. Water: Solar-powered boreholes in Nsekhe, Odoro Ikot, Ikot Esa and Ikot Oku Usung
4. Welfare: Official vehicles for the Secretary to Council and Legislative Leader, plus 6 vehicles for aides to the Chairman
5. Education: Grants for law students and plans for student bursaries in 2027
6. Culture: Full sponsorship of the Paramount Ruler’s coronation
7. Infrastructure: Land acquired for a proposed stadium, ongoing Udo Ekpenyong Unity Hall, and a new state-of-the-art conference room
8. Governance: Provision of offices for councillors
Hon. Ukpanah said all projects were funded from statutory allocations, without borrowing.
“Everything you see here in Ukanafun is done with local government funds. I have not borrowed and I don’t plan to. We are taking projects step by step based on what comes in,” he stated.
He noted that because his late father created Ukanafun in 1976, he feels a duty to reposition the LGA and sustain his father’s legacy.
He announced that stadium construction will begin in 2027, the same year bursaries will be paid. To mark his administration’s second anniversary, he also unveiled plans for a ₦200 million mega empowerment scheme. Items to be distributed include cars, tricycles, cooking ovens, sewing machines, and business grants.
ANPA President, Pastor OsuiniAbasi Alfred, in his response described the chairman as a leader focused on people’s welfare.
“Chairman, on behalf of my members, you have done well. If we, the watchdog, are saying this, then it is not politics. It takes preparation to translate allocation into results. You came ready for governance,” he said.
He prayed that the tempo be sustained into the third year of the administration.
In her vote of thanks, Vice Chairman Hon. (Mrs.) Aniekan Owen thanked ANPA for the visit, saying the assessment would spur the council to do more for the people.
