Residents of Akwa Ibom State are carrying on with their daily activities without disruption, as local youths did not engage in the nationwide protest on October 1.

A walk through key areas in Uyo, including Ibom Plaza, the Nwaniba Water Fountain, and the Cenotaph along Udo Udoma Avenue—traditional gathering spots for protesters—showed no signs of demonstrations.

At Ibom Plaza, people were seen in small groups discussing issues such as bad governance and rising fuel prices. Vendors conducted business, while some individuals were engrossed in reading newspapers.

Similarly, the Cenotaph remained quiet, with few police and security personnel stationed in the area but no signs of protest activity. The streets were noticeably less busy, with only a handful of private vehicles observed, attributed to the soaring cost of fuel.

It is worth noting that Governor Umo Eno had previously donated N310 million to commend the youth for their non-participation in the earlier #EndBadGovernance protest. In a recent press conference, Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo assured that the command was well-prepared for any potential protests.

The police in Akwa Ibom have announced that they are fully prepared for the upcoming protests scheduled for October 1.

The police command has expressed its readiness to manage any potential unrest that may arise during the demonstrations.

Timfon John, the spokesperson for the police command, confirmed that the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, has strategically deployed operatives throughout the state to ensure the protests do not escalate into chaos.

John emphasized that the police are committed to maintaining peace and urged the residents of Akwa Ibom to carry on with their daily activities without fear of harassment. She reassured the public that comprehensive security measures have been implemented for their safety.

“Regarding the rumored protests, the Commissioner of Police has made the necessary deployments to ensure that no protests take place in Akwa Ibom State. Should there be any protests, we are prepared to ensure they remain peaceful and that no hoodlums can disrupt the tranquility of our community,” she stated.

The forthcoming protests, tagged #FearlessInOctober1, are part of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance movement, which saw demonstrations in various states across Nigeria from August 1 to 10. The police aim to foster an environment where citizens can express themselves without fear of violence or disruption.

The Federal Government is set to commence the construction of an additional 2,000 housing units across eight states in the South and North Central geopolitical zones under the Renewed Hope and Estates programme.

The states slated for this project include Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Oyo, Benue, and Nasarawa.

The construction is scheduled to kick off between June 26 and July 6, 2024, with the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, officiating the groundbreaking ceremonies.

This initiative follows the recent launch of 1,500 housing units in five northern states: Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, Sokoto, and Kano.

According to a statement from the Ministry’s official website, the construction schedule will begin with a 250-unit project in Ebonyi State on June 26, 2024, followed by:
– 250 units in Abia on June 27
– 250 units in Akwa Ibom on June 28
– 250 units in Delta State on June 29
– 250 units in Osun on July 2
– 250 units in Oyo on July 3
– 250 units in Benue on July 5
– 250 units in Nasarawa on July 6

Each 250-unit housing project will comprise:
– 50 units of one-bedroom semi-detached bungalows
– 100 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows
– 50 units of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows

The initiative is expected to create approximately 50,000 skilled and unskilled jobs, averaging 25 jobs per housing unit, thereby stimulating the local economies of the involved states.

The Renewed Hope and Estates programme aims to address Nigeria’s housing shortage by delivering 1,000 housing units in each of the 36 states and 4,000 units in the Federal Capital Territory. The programme was initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and will be executed in batches to eventually cover the entire country.

The first phase began in February with the launch of 3,112 housing units in the Karsana District of Abuja. The projects currently under construction and the additional 2,000 units set to begin next week are funded by the 2023 Supplementary Budget of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Future projects will be financed through the Ministry’s 2024 budget.

This housing initiative aims to promote inclusivity and integration by addressing inequalities and offering a range of affordable homeownership options. These options include:
– Single-digit interest rate mortgage loans with up to 30-year terms from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
– Rent-to-Own options allowing beneficiaries to pay towards ownership in monthly, quarterly, or annual instalments
– Outright purchase options for high-income earners

The programme will operate as a cross-subsidy initiative, with 80% of the housing units sold at commercial rates and the remaining 20% offered at concessional rates to low- and medium-income Nigerians affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.