CHRAN Lauds Rt. Hon. Ime Okon for Impactful Constituency Projects in Itu/Ibiono Ibom

The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), a renowned civil society and pro-democracy advocacy organization, has commended the Member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Ime Bassey Okon, for facilitating and executing a series of impactful constituency projects across the constituency.

The commendation followed an extensive project tracking exercise undertaken by CHRAN and its media partners on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The exercise, which marked the commencement of CHRAN’s state-wide good governance assessment tour of Akwa Ibom federal and state legislators, was aimed at evaluating the delivery and effectiveness of public-funded constituency projects.

The CHRAN delegation, comprising 22 distinguished members, was led by its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, and included Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo (Secretary), Dr. Victor David, Comrade Julius Nsikak, Comrade Etimbuk Ekpenyong, and Comrade Patrick Titus, among others. According to CHRAN, the initiative is part of its long-standing commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in public service delivery through independent verification of government projects.

The project tracking began with a visit to PCN Primary School, North Itam, Itu Local Government Area, where a block of four classrooms with toilet facilities, built and donated by Rt. Hon. Ime Okon, was inspected. The CHRAN team also visited a six-classroom block at the Technical College, Ayadehe, Itu LGA; a solar-powered borehole at Afaha Itam, Itu LGA; solar streetlight installations at Ikot Obong-Ikot Edok and Ikpa Ikot Ubo/Ikot Usen, Ibiono Ibom LGA; a Civic Centre at Idoro and another ongoing Civic Centre at Nkwa Ibiono, Ibiono Ibom LGA; a newly constructed 1.5 km road (Joshua Uwah Street) linking Mbak Itam III to the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Highway; as well as additional solar streetlights in Mbak Itam III, Ekit Itam II, Mbiakpan Atan, and Nung Ukot Itam.

During the tour, CHRAN interacted with local residents and beneficiaries who expressed their gratitude. At Afaha Itam, a community member, Mr. Isaac Asuquo Edet, lauded the solar borehole project, recalling years of hardship the community faced in accessing clean water. Similarly, Elder John Etim Bassey, Principal of Technical College, Ayadehe, expressed appreciation for the new classroom block but appealed for the inclusion of water and sanitation facilities in the school.

While the projects were generally commended for quality and compliance with specifications, CHRAN made several observations. These included the need for classroom furniture at the PCN Primary School, North Itam; the need to connect the provided toilets to a functional water source; replacement of traditional blackboards with modern whiteboards and accessories at Technical College, Ayadehe; and the provision of water and sanitation infrastructure in the same institution.

In addition to evaluating the projects, CHRAN used the opportunity to call on government authorities to address critical infrastructural issues in the constituency. These include immediate repair of the collapsed portion of Effi Itam Road in Itu LGA, urgent intervention on the Ntiat Road near the High and Magistrates’ Courts in Itu, and an accelerated pace of work on the Calabar-Itu Highway, especially from the Itu axis, to ensure its completion within the current federal administration.

CHRAN expressed satisfaction with the scale and quality of development projects delivered in the constituency, describing them as “life-touching and responsive to the people’s needs.” The organization praised Rt. Hon. Ime Okon for his commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability.

In a joint statement signed by Otuekong Franklyn Isong (Director) and Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo (Secretary), CHRAN called on other elected representatives in Akwa Ibom State and beyond to emulate Rt. Hon. Ime Okon by regularly accounting for their stewardship and delivering tangible benefits to their constituents.

“Rt. Hon. Ime Okon has shown exemplary leadership in the execution of constituency projects. His openness and responsiveness to public needs are worthy of emulation,” the statement concluded.