AKWA IBOM COMMISSIONS 11KM OWOT UTA–NUNG OKU–EDEOBOM ROAD TO BOOST RURAL TRADE.

Uyo, May 7, 2026 — The Akwa Ibom State Government has commissioned the 11-kilometre Owot Uta–Nung Oku–Edeobom Road, opening a new corridor for agricultural trade and rural mobility between Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom Local Government Areas.The project was delivered under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), with financing support from the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD). It was officially opened on Wednesday, May 7, 2026.Commissioning the road on behalf of Governor Umo Eno, Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi described the project as a key deliverable under the administration’s ARISE Agenda, which prioritizes rural development, food security, and economic inclusion.“This road is more than asphalt; it is a lifeline for our farmers and traders,” Governor Eno said in a statement read by the Deputy Governor. “It will reduce transportation costs, cut post-harvest losses, and give our communities the connectivity they need to thrive.”

Owot Uta in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA through Nung Oku Ekere, Afaha Udo Eyop, and Ede Obom to Utuat Market junction in Nsit Ibom LGA. Length: 11 kilometres Implementation: RAAMP, in partnership with the World Bank and AFD Date commissioned: May 7, 2026.

The new road directly connects seven communities in Ibesikpo Asutan and one in Nsit Ibom, ending years of seasonal inaccessibility caused by poor rural roads. For farmers, the project means faster evacuation of cassava, oil palm, vegetables, and other produce to markets in Uyo and beyond. Traders at Utuat Market and other local hubs expect higher volumes and lower freight costs, while residents gain safer, all-weather access to schools, health centres, and neighboring LGAs.
The Owot Uta–Nung Oku–Edeobom Road adds to the more than 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges completed by the current administration across Akwa Ibom State. To maximize the gains from rural roads, the government is also developing an agro-logistics hub designed to aggregate, store, and move farm produce efficiently to regional and national markets.With RAAMP’s focus on farm-to-market access, state officials say the new road will strengthen the agricultural value chain, improve rural incomes, and support the state’s goal of food sufficiency.