The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to collaborate with investors and organisations interested in converting environmental waste into a profitable and sustainable economic venture.
Governor Umo Eno made this known in Uyo during a media briefing marking his third anniversary in office on Saturday.
He explained that the state is exploring partnerships that would help transform its waste management system into a revenue-generating sector, describing the current situation as one with limited returns despite significant spending.
According to him, he has directed the State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency to identify credible partners capable of turning waste into economic value.
Eno expressed optimism that once a suitable partner is secured, the state would achieve a cleaner environment with improved waste management efficiency.
He also raised concerns over the effectiveness of current waste management efforts, noting that government investments had not yielded proportional results.
The governor further cautioned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, urging stronger public awareness and environmental discipline.
On infrastructure, Eno disclosed that his administration has constructed and rehabilitated over 1,348 kilometres of roads within three years.
He compared the figure with federal road projects, stating that while the Federal Government has reportedly delivered about 2,700 kilometres within the same period, the state’s contribution remains significant for a subnational government.
He emphasised that no administration can complete all road projects at once, explaining that new infrastructure demands continue to emerge even as existing ones are addressed.
Eno added that road development efforts are ongoing across all local government areas, insisting that the projects are spread to ensure balanced development.
He maintained that his administration remains committed to expanding infrastructure while also focusing on economically viable projects across the state.