…we now struggle to find skill labourers – private contractors
By Emma Akpabio
Pastor Umo Eno’s infrastructure development is creating a buzz in Akwa Ibom State, with workers praising the Governor for a contract boom across the 31 local government areas of the State
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Governor Eno’s administration has been focused on implementing the ARISE Agenda which envisions a vibrant, inclusive, diversified, and highly industrialized economy with lifelong opportunities for the improvement of social welfare conditions and broadly-shared prosperity.
Some skilled labourers in Uyo who spoke with journalists yesterday, praised Governor Eno’s administration for its commitment to infrastructural development which has led to a surge in projects across the state.
Narrating the dividends of the Governor’s infrastructural revolution in the state, Aniefiok Udoh, a skilled carpenter working at the site of the ongoing Ewet luxury estate in Uyo, said:
“Governor Eno’s administration has been a blessing to us. Before now, we used to stand at the labour market along four lanes without jobs, but since Governor Eno assumed office, we now move from one site to the other. We have never had it so good. The numerous construction projects have provided us with good paying jobs and steady income”.
Also speaking, Enobong Johnson, a skilled mason recounted his gains: “private contractors used to pay us between three and four thousand naira per day, but since we started working with Government contractors, we smile home with at least eight thousand naira every day. May God bless our dear Governor.”
Meanwhile, facts-finding tours to some construction sites within Uyo metropolis revealed that over 500 skilled labourers are currently engaged by Western Legacy, contractors handling the Ewet luxury garden while over 600 workers often spotted at the different departments of the ongoing Arise park handled by Buletin construction Nigeria Limited.
Similarly, over 1,000 skilled labourers were also spotted at the sites of the ongoing dualization project of Uyo village road, dualization of the new Ring road from Idoro road to Ibiono Ibom and at the Elderly Citizens center handled by Amitec Construction Limited, Hensek Integrated services and U & K Nigeria limited, respectively.
On the flip side of this development, the contract boom has also had an unintended consequence on non-government contractors who are now struggling to find skilled labourers.
“Many of our skilled labourers have been lured away by government contracts.” Said Mr Ekpo, the MD of build box Nigeria, a private contractor.
“Government contractors seem to pay skilled labourers higher hence, we are finding it difficult to complete our projects on time, because of the shortage of skilled workers,” he added.
Without equivocation, there is no local government area in Akwa Ibom State today, that does not have at least one major road construction ongoing in addition to either a model primary school or a primary health center.
From the Arise Compassionate homes targeted at each of the 368 wards of the state, to other strategic housing development and aviation hub expansion, Akwa Ibom State can best be described as a construction site with Akwa Ibomites gainfully engaged as core professionals, skilled workers and suppliers of one building material or the other.
The contract boom in Akwa Ibom is a testament to Governor Eno’s commitment to infrastructural development and job creation.
As the state continues to experience growth and development, skilled labourers remain appreciative of the opportunities provided by Governor Eno’s administration, with several other projects still lined up for flag-off in view.
