Residents of Idoro community in Northern Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, on Thursday, celebrated with enthusiasm as a newly built Civic Centre was officially opened, marking the first significant development in the area in years.
The inauguration, which attracted a large gathering of joyful locals, was part of the festivities commemorating the second anniversary of Rt. Hon. Ime Okon, the member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, who funded the project.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Nsikakabasi Ukobot, a former Transition Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, hailed the initiative as a remarkable act of goodwill from the federal lawmaker.
“We cannot remember the last time something good was brought to this area. This is the first time someone in government has remembered Idoro. He is truly a promise keeper,” he said.
Ukobot noted that if such a project could be completed in just two years—a milestone that many leaders had struggled to reach over decades—then further development would surely follow.
While pledging the community’s support for the lawmaker in the upcoming 2027 elections, Hon. Ukobot appealed to Governor Umo Eno to improve road infrastructure, stating that the lack of accessible roads is a significant barrier to development in the region.
In his remark, Rt. Hon. Ime Okon stressed the necessity of delivering democratic benefits to the people, asserting that effective representation should result in concrete advantages for the community.
“When people support you in an election, you must remember them. As a representative, your duty is to positively impact lives—otherwise, your politics is meaningless,” he declared.
He noted that the Civic Centre was a testament to his shared vision for progress and would serve as a hub for civic engagement and community development. He urged the community to protect the facility from vandalism.
The second day of the lawmaker’s anniversary celebration also saw the commissioning of solar-powered street lights in the Ikot Edok and Ikpa Ikot/Ikot Usen communities, further solidifying his commitment to grassroots development.
On Wednesday, there was palpable excitement in Mbak Itam III after Barr. Okon commissioned the 1.5 km Joshua Uwah Street, complete with street lights, as part of his projects in the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
