Eket, Akwa Ibom – In a major boost for small enterprises, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has disbursed N50 million to 500 petty traders in the Eket Local Government Area (LGA). This initiative is part of the governor’s ongoing efforts to support low-income entrepreneurs in the state and is executed through the Eket ARISE Empowerment program.
Each of the 500 beneficiaries received N100,000, a grant expected to provide a significant boost to their business operations and enhance their capacity to grow. The announcement was made during the inauguration of a newly constructed 5,000-capacity conference hall in the Eket LGA, which is part of the governor’s broader economic development strategy to stimulate local enterprise and social activities.
Governor Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, highlighted that the initiative was aligned with the state’s ARISE Agenda, which focuses on grassroots development and economic empowerment.
“This is ARISE Agenda at work in the local government. This government is desirous of seeing more of this project in every local government area in Akwa Ibom,” Archibong remarked during the ceremony. He added that the government is committed to ensuring such initiatives are replicated across the state to help uplift low-income communities and foster economic growth.
Strengthening Local Infrastructure and Economy
The inauguration of the new conference hall is also seen as a step towards strengthening the local economy. Eket LGA Chairman, Mr. Akaniyene Tommey, called the event a dual celebration of infrastructure development and economic empowerment. He explained that the newly completed conference hall would serve as a major hub for conferences, events, and social gatherings, ultimately boosting the region’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“This conference hall will be a key driver of our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and will also create numerous employment opportunities in the area,” Tommey said, emphasizing the significant role of such infrastructure in local economic growth.
Tommey also remarked that the N50 million grant to the 500 petty traders was a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which he described as the backbone of the Nigerian economy. The initiative is expected to empower local entrepreneurs, enabling them to scale their businesses and create jobs within the community.
Looking to the Future
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the region’s infrastructure, the Eket LGA Chairman revealed plans to build an ultramodern legislative complex in the area, signaling further progress in the region’s development.
Several grant beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the financial support, pledging to use the funds effectively to expand their businesses. The grant recipients, who come from diverse sectors including retail, agriculture, and services, see the funds as a means to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the economic development of the region.
In addition to the grant distribution, the ceremony also included the foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed ultramodern legislative complex in Eket, marking another significant milestone in the state’s development efforts.
A Track Record of Support
This initiative follows a similar effort in March 2025, when Governor Eno empowered 833 entrepreneurs in the Abak-Etim Ekpo-Ika Federal Constituency. These entrepreneurs received grants under the Micro Scale Medium Enterprises Development Scheme, which is part of a larger N5.1 billion earmarked by the state government to support Micro, Small, and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Akwa Ibom.
These efforts reflect the state government’s broader commitment to strengthening the local economy by investing in both infrastructure and human capital development.