In a bold move to strengthen security in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has officially flagged off the construction of a Command and Control Centre, a key component of his ARISE Agenda. The facility is designed to digitally manage and oversee security operations across the state, ensuring real-time information sharing and rapid response to incidents.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Eno commended the relentless efforts of the state’s security agencies. He emphasised that the new centre would render the state increasingly inhospitable to criminal elements, stating that it would serve as a one-stop shop for gathering and disseminating critical security intelligence. “This centre will make our State more uncomfortable and unwelcoming for criminal elements and their cohorts,” he declared.
Governor Eno paid glowing tribute to the late former Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, whose visionary leadership and guidance on visits to leading command centres inspired the project. He described the facility as an essential addition to the state’s security toolkit, akin to those utilised in developed societies. The governor also underscored the vital role that robust security plays in attracting investors and tourists, reiterating that the safety and welfare of the people remain his top priority.
The Command and Control Centre is strategically located on a reclaimed portion of Dominic Utuk Avenue, an area previously ravaged by gully erosion. The governor announced that this would be the first of several projects to be launched on the site, with groundbreaking ceremonies for the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation House, the headquarters of the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), and the Akwa Ibom Geographical Information System (AkwaGIS) head office already on the agenda.
Governor Eno is determined to see the commencement of 31 key projects before May 29 this year. He expressed his disdain for contractors who fail to uphold their promises, insisting that only those with integrity and a strong work ethic would be engaged. “I will not carry money in Ghana Must Go bags to people in their houses. But if you are prepared to work, I will give you work and you will work with your hands,” he asserted, calling on young people to demonstrate their commitment in order to progress from minor to larger responsibilities.
In a further boost to local enterprise, the governor announced that 50 winners of the Home Garden Competition would be rewarded this month, while 400 female youths who completed training at the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre would each receive N750,000.
At the launch event, the chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Dr Uwemedimo Udo, praised the governor for his innovative security initiatives, including the security tax fund, which local government chairmen have pledged to support monthly. DIG Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, the Honorary Special Adviser on Security, described the command centre as the nerve centre of the state’s security operations, equipped with cutting-edge technology to monitor activities across the entire 129-kilometre coastline and coordinate responses across all regions. He also highlighted the integration of hospital ambulance services to ensure prompt responses to health emergencies.
State Police Commissioner Baba Mohammed Azare added that the new centre would significantly enhance communication among security agencies, enabling more effective crime control and the swift arrest of criminals. The initiative was warmly received by Edidem Sylvester Okon, the Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government, who thanked the governor for his commitment to ensuring peace and security in local communities.
Uwem Etuk, Managing Director of Alvard & Moore—the firm contracted to build the project—expressed gratitude for the opportunity and assured that the project would be completed within four months as per contractual terms.
Governor Eno’s latest initiative underscores his administration’s unwavering dedication to fostering a secure environment, thereby paving the way for sustainable development and economic growth in Akwa Ibom State.