Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom says the state government has spent over $34 million for the construction of the 8.4km IBB Avenue flood control project in the state.

Mr Emmanuel who stated this during an interactive session with journalists to mark the 35th Anniversary of the creation of the state on Tuesday, said it transverse across 18 communities in three Local Government Areas of the state.

The state was supported by the World Bank for the project under the supervision of the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

Governor Emmauel said that the facility carries more than half of the flood water generated in Uyo and environs.

He explained that the $34 million spent on the project was a demonstration of his commitment to the development of the state.

Mr Emmanuel said that with the project, perennial challenge of flood in the area was now a thing of the past and reiterated his administration’s commitment to arrest flooding and erosion situations across the state.

The governor said that the state government spent over N1.2 billion to train the second batch of engineers and pilots from the state owned airline, Ibom Air.

Mr Emmanuel said that the initiative was aimed at repositioning and enhancing the capacity of the state owned Airline.

He said the first batch of trainees is already undertaking the training to provide the needed technical personnel for the airline.

The governor, who expressed joy at the strides of the airline, added that the Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Victor Attach International Airport was 95 per cent completed.

He said that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine was impacting on  the inability of the state to acquire more aircraft for the airline.

(NAN)