Akwa Ibom Assembly Returns to Main Complex Amid Renovation Concerns
reported by facthabournews
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has resolved to return legislative proceedings to its main complex along Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, despite concerns over the condition of the facility and stalled renovation work.
The decision was reached during a special sitting of the House on Thursday, August 20, 2026, just two days after a report highlighted the deteriorating condition of the complex and the prolonged relocation of lawmakers to a temporary chamber within the Government House premises.
Lawmakers Resolve to Return
The motion for the return to the main complex was moved by the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Akpabio, and seconded by the member representing Okobo State Constituency, Bassey Bassey.
The Chief Whip of the House, Effiong Johnson, supported the motion, saying the decision reflected the position of the majority of lawmakers to resume legislative activities at the main chambers pending the commencement of construction work in the affected section of the complex.
The resolution means the Assembly intends to use the main complex while awaiting a final evacuation notice from the contractor for the part of the building where renovation work is expected to continue.
Renovation Has Raised Concerns
The return comes against the background of concerns about the slow progress of renovation work at the complex.
According to the report that preceded the Assembly’s decision, renovation works had stalled for more than nine months. Parts of the facility had also reportedly been exposed to rainwater and other hazards after sections of the roof were removed during the renovation process.
Images from the facility showed flooding in a corridor close to the Assembly chambers, highlighting concerns about the condition of parts of the building.
The development has generated public discussion about the need to complete the renovation and ensure that lawmakers and staff have a suitable environment for legislative duties.
Former Lawmakers Express Concern
Former members of the House who attended Thursday’s special sitting also inspected parts of the complex.
One former Speaker expressed concern about the state of the facility and questioned why the renovation had not progressed as expected after several months.
The inspection added to the renewed public attention surrounding the project and the condition of the Assembly complex.
Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
Although lawmakers resolved to return to the complex, the Speaker of the House, Udeme Otong, subsequently announced that the Assembly had been adjourned sine die.
An adjournment sine die means that the sitting ended without a specific date being fixed for the next plenary session.
The development leaves the timing of the next regular legislative sitting unclear, even as the House has expressed its intention to return to the main complex.
Public Attention on the Project
The decision has attracted particular attention because it followed public criticism over the condition of the Assembly complex.
Some lawmakers told PREMIUM TIMES that the earlier report had generated reactions from members of the public, former lawmakers and other political stakeholders who questioned why legislative activities had been moved from the main complex for an extended period while renovation remained incomplete.
However, some claims made by lawmakers about internal disagreements and the circumstances surrounding the decision could not be independently verified.
The Assembly itself has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of why renovation work has progressed slowly or disclosed a new completion timeline for the project.
Balancing Renovation With Legislative Work
The decision to resume activities at the main complex places attention on the need to balance ongoing construction with the requirement for a safe and functional environment for legislative proceedings.
The House will also need to coordinate with the contractor to determine which sections of the complex can safely be occupied while renovation continues.
For residents of Akwa Ibom, the condition of the Assembly complex has become a matter of public interest because the facility is a key institution of the state’s democratic system.
The Assembly is responsible for making laws, scrutinising government activities and representing the interests of constituents across the state. Ensuring that lawmakers have an appropriate working environment is therefore important to the effective functioning of the legislature.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on when regular plenary sessions resume and whether renovation work will be accelerated to address concerns raised about the facility.
The contractor’s final evacuation notice and the House’s subsequent arrangements will likely determine how legislative activities are conducted while construction continues.
For now, the Assembly’s resolution signals an intention to return to its permanent complex rather than continue indefinitely in the temporary chamber at the Government House premises.
The development also demonstrates how public scrutiny can draw attention to the condition and progress of major public infrastructure projects.
The long-term expectation is that the renovation will be completed to an appropriate standard, allowing the Assembly to operate from a safe, functional and suitable legislative complex.
This report is based on publicly reported proceedings of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and reports concerning the condition of its main complex. Claims about internal disagreements have not been independently verified.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has inspected a brand-new Airbus A220-300 acquired for the state-owned Ibom Air as the airline moves to expand its fleet and strengthen its position in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The pre-delivery inspection took place at the Airbus production facility in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, where Governor Eno led a delegation of state officials and Ibom Air management for the formal acceptance process.
The latest aircraft is Ibom Air’s third Airbus A220-300 and the second A220 to be received under the airline’s firm order for 10 Airbus A220 aircraft placed in 2021. The aircraft is expected to arrive at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, on August 30, 2026.
Ibom Air Fleet Reaches 10 Aircraft
The arrival of the new Airbus will increase Ibom Air’s fleet to 10 aircraft, providing additional capacity for the airline’s growing network.
Governor Eno described the acquisition as an indication of consistency in the state’s investment in aviation and the continued expansion of Ibom Air.
According to the governor, the new aircraft represents the third Airbus acquired since his administration assumed office in 2023. He added that two other aircraft had also been fully paid for, bringing the number of aircraft acquired or fully paid for under his administration to five.
The latest A220-300 is expected to provide additional capacity, improve scheduling flexibility and support the airline’s expansion across domestic and regional routes.
Ibom Air, which commenced operations in 2019, has increasingly positioned itself as an important component of Akwa Ibom’s transportation and economic development strategy.
New Aircraft Expected in Uyo
The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo on August 30.
Its addition comes at a time when Ibom Air is seeking to increase capacity and strengthen connectivity for passengers travelling within Nigeria and to regional destinations.
The airline expanded into the international market in 2026, making the continued expansion of its fleet particularly significant as it develops its route network.
Ibom Air’s Chief Executive Officer, George Uriesi, said the airline remained focused on investing in modern aircraft that provide operational efficiency, reliability, safety and passenger comfort.
The Airbus A220-300 is designed for short- and medium-haul operations and is suited to airlines seeking to combine passenger capacity with operational efficiency.
Eno Highlights Economic Benefits
Governor Eno said the investment in Ibom Air goes beyond acquiring aircraft, stressing that the broader objective is to develop an aviation ecosystem capable of generating economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom.
He identified potential benefits including employment creation, foreign exchange earnings, tourism, trade and increased economic activity.
“When all of this ecosystem begins to function the way it should, you will see the jobs it is going to create, the foreign exchange earnings it is going to bring and, of course, the effect on our GDP as a state,” the governor said.
The governor’s comments reflect the state government’s broader strategy of using aviation infrastructure and connectivity to support investment and tourism.
Improved air connectivity can make it easier for businesses, investors and visitors to access Akwa Ibom while providing residents with additional travel options.
Aviation Village and MRO Facility
The fleet expansion is also being accompanied by investment in aviation-related infrastructure around Victor Attah International Airport.
Governor Eno highlighted the development of an Aviation Village intended to support workers and other activities connected to the state’s growing aviation sector.
The state is also developing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility designed to support aircraft maintenance operations.
The MRO facility has been described as an important component of the state’s ambition to develop a broader aviation hub. Local maintenance capacity could also reduce the need for some aircraft maintenance activities to be carried out outside Nigeria, although the facility’s operational and regulatory requirements must be fully met before commercial maintenance activities begin.
The governor said the MRO facility was nearing completion and linked it to the wider development of the aviation ecosystem in the state.
Airbus Partnership
Airbus officials have also expressed confidence in the A220 as a suitable aircraft for Ibom Air’s network.
During the pre-delivery inspection, Airbus Canada Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Chevasson highlighted the aircraft’s operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and performance across domestic and regional networks.
The new aircraft is therefore expected to complement Ibom Air’s existing fleet while providing the airline with additional capacity for future route development.
The airline’s first two A220 aircraft have also been undergoing comprehensive checks and were expected to return to service by the end of September 2026, according to the Guardian report on the inspection. If that timeline is achieved, the return of those aircraft alongside the new A220-300 could further increase Ibom Air’s available capacity.
What the Expansion Means for Akwa Ibom
The expansion of Ibom Air comes as Akwa Ibom continues efforts to position Victor Attah International Airport as an important aviation gateway.
For passengers, additional aircraft could mean greater scheduling flexibility and improved capacity on routes served by the airline.
For the state economy, the government expects the aviation ecosystem to support employment, tourism, investment and related businesses.
However, the long-term success of the investment will depend on factors such as passenger demand, efficient airline management, route performance, aircraft availability, infrastructure development and the broader economic environment.
The arrival of the new Airbus is therefore an important milestone, but the wider objective remains the development of a sustainable aviation ecosystem capable of delivering lasting economic benefits.
With the latest aircraft expected in Uyo on August 30, attention will now turn to its formal entry into service and the routes on which it will be deployed.
For Governor Eno and the Akwa Ibom State Government, the fleet expansion represents another step towards their stated ambition of making Ibom Air and Victor Attah International Airport central to the state’s aviation and economic development plans.
This report is based on statements from the Akwa Ibom State Government, Ibom Air and publicly reported information. Operational schedules and aircraft deployment may change subject to airline and regulatory requirements.
