As Nigeria marked Democracy Day on May 29, the Apostle Elijah Jack’s Foundation (AEJF) made a passionate appeal to the Akwa Ibom State Government to adopt bold infrastructure policies that would deepen economic inclusion and foster grassroots development.
Speaking at a media briefing in Uyo, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Apostle Elijah Jack, urged Governor Umo Eno to prioritize the creation of a state-wide integrated rural-urban mass transit network, aimed at connecting remote villages with economic hubs and urban centers across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas.
“We need a reliable, affordable transport system that serves everyone, from farmers in Oruk Anam to traders in Uyo,” Apostle Elijah Jack said. “This is not just about mobility—it’s about economic liberation, access to healthcare, education, and a better quality of life for our people.”
To finance this ambitious project without overburdening the state treasury, Apostle Elijah Jack recommended a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, where private investors co-develop and manage aspects of the transit network in return for revenue guarantees or tax incentives.
He noted that such collaborations have worked effectively in other sub-Saharan regions and urged Akwa Ibom to tap into development finance institutions, international donor agencies, and local cooperative societies to execute the project sustainably.
“The state doesn’t have to bear the cost alone. With strategic PPPs and microfinance involvement, we can build a transport economy that works for both the government and the people,” Jack stated.
In a bid to diversify the state’s revenue and improve regional trade, the foundation also called for the development of a maritime economic hub along Akwa Ibom’s coastline. Jack emphasized the state’s unique position along the Gulf of Guinea, describing it as an “untapped goldmine of logistics and international commerce.”
He reiterated the need to revitalize the Ibom Deep Seaport project and establish a functional jetty system to unlock access to inland and foreign markets, thus placing Akwa Ibom on the map as a maritime and logistics powerhouse.
“A fully functional deep seaport is not just an infrastructure project—it is a gateway to foreign investment, job creation, and industrial growth,” Jack said.
He also pointed out that with the ongoing Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Akwa Ibom is well-positioned to serve as a transit hub for West and Central Africa, if the state acts swiftly to modernize its transport and logistics systems.
Beyond transportation, AEJF also appealed for the introduction of a comprehensive affordable housing scheme to tackle the state’s growing housing deficit. Jack proposed that such a program should be designed with strong local content policies, enabling local artisans, builders, and suppliers to be part of the construction value chain.
“This approach not only provides shelter to the people but also fuels the local economy through job creation and entrepreneurship,” he noted.
To support housing delivery and economic empowerment, the foundation urged the state government to establish a special-purpose financial institution or agency dedicated to:
Transport fleet financing
Housing loans for civil servants and low-income earners
Micro-loans for artisans, SMEs, and transport entrepreneurs
According to Jack, this would give Akwa Ibom residents better access to credit facilities, thereby enhancing financial inclusion and enabling thousands to own homes, run small businesses, or invest in transport ventures.
AEJF’s call comes at a time when states across Nigeria are grappling with sluggish economic recovery, youth unemployment, and rural-urban migration. The foundation’s policy recommendations, if adopted, could serve as a template for inclusive governance in other subnational entities.
The foundation commended Governor Umo Eno’s past interventions in education and healthcare, urging him to take the next bold step by initiating an infrastructure-led economic transformation agenda.
“Akwa Ibom has the human capital, coastline, and potential. What we need now is the vision to connect the dots,” Jack concluded.