Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has addressed concerns surrounding the multi-billion naira 18-storey Ibom Towers project in Lagos. Amidst criticisms from individuals and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) about potential capital flight from Akwa Ibom State, Governor Eno has reassured the public of the project’s benefits. During the project’s flag-off in Victoria Island, he emphasised the economic diversification it aims to achieve, augmenting monthly allocations from the center. “The project is expected to drive substantial revenue and GDP growth for both states, providing the much-needed economic diversification amid Nigeria’s current financial challenges,” he stated.
Governor Eno highlighted the project’s potential to generate income and create job opportunities. “Anytime leaders invest in forward-looking projects like this, there are challenges, but a leader must look into the future,” he remarked. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony, echoed these sentiments, noting Lagos’ role as Nigeria’s commercial hub. “I look forward to seeing this relationship deepen, and who knows, maybe I’ll also invest in an oil well in Akwa Ibom,” he quipped.
The project has garnered support from various quarters, including former Akwa Ibom Governors Udom Emmanuel and Obong Victor Attah, and the Oba of Oniru, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal. Governor Eno expressed gratitude for the partnership and the ties with Lagos, underscoring the project’s representation of bipartisanship. “This is the essence of bipartisanship; it should not be coloured by political affiliations,” he noted. He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his contributions to Lagos’ development, emphasising the importance of patience during Nigeria’s reform period. “These changes may be painstaking, but they will bear fruit,” he assured.
