What to anticipate as Umo Eno begins town hall meetings

By Emmanuel Nicholas

Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D., is set to commence a series of town hall meetings beginning on March 8, 2025, at Abak Federal Constituency.

These meetings are meticulously designed to ensure the active participation of all political parties, the inclusion of various advocacy groups, listening to the opinions of traditional rulers, and the recognition of the voices of non-indigenous residents.

The significance of political town hall meetings cannot be overstated, particularly in the context of ensuring the development of each local Government Area.

These gatherings will serve as a vital platform for dialogue, enabling citizens to engage directly with their elected officials and articulate their needs and concerns.

Governor Umo Eno, PhD, is facilitating open communication through town hall meetings to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the policymaking process, thereby promoting inclusivity and transparency in governance.

Moreover, the collaborative atmosphere of these meetings will encourage the exchange of ideas and the identification of problems in each Local Government Area.

By Governor Umo Eno bringing together various stakeholders, including political parties, business communities, and civic organizations, these forums can identify common goals and priorities, ultimately leading to more effective and equitable development strategies.

In an era where citizen engagement is paramount, town hall meetings represent a crucial avenue for enhancing democratic participation and driving meaningful change in our communities.

The Governor had proclaimed that “The meetings will serve as a platform for citizens to engage directly with him, articulate their concerns, and inquire about pertinent local and national issues.

The Governor emphasized that these assemblies will usher in an era of transparency, allowing constituents to receive direct insights into his actions across various local government areas, as well as his plans for those localities.

Governor Umo Eno further articulated his commitment to formulating a 2025 budget, aptly termed the “People’s Budget”, which will be shaped by the needs articulated by each local government area during these gatherings, thus providing stakeholders with a meaningful opportunity to voice their priorities.

The overarching goal of this initiative is to deepen dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, thereby cultivating a robust sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Inclusivity nature of the meetings

Governor Umo Eno announced his intention that each federal constituency facilitate their stakeholders’ selection, ensuring representation of at least 50 persons from each local government area.

He says “This initiative transcends party lines; it is a pan-Akwa Ibom initiative,” he asserted, emphasizing the inclusion of diverse representatives from various economic sectors and major political parties.

He advocated for the involvement of royal fathers, clergy, and other religious leaders, alongside women, students, youth, and non-indigenous communities, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the populace.

Empowerment agenda

The Governor clarified that the town hall meetings would comprise two distinct segments: selected stakeholders would engage in dialogue within the hall, while empowerment activities would take place in the field.

After addressing the stakeholders, he pledged to reach out to empower farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, transporters, and skilled workers.

Criteria for empowerment

Governor Umo Eno stated that those who will benefit are those with existing businesses, farms, traders with shops in the markets, and those who have already acquired skills but lack the necessary equipment to work.

However, all beneficiaries must be domiciled in their respective local government areas within the federal constituency.

Before you are verified to receive this empowerment, a government agent will visit your shop, business, farm, and workshop to confirm your eligibility and geniunity.

The Governor also made it clear that you cannot have a business in Uyo and expect to benefit from grants given to business owners in Nsit Ibom local government area, even if you hail from there.

Lastly, the forthcoming town hall meetings across the State are poised to serve as a critical juncture for future planning and budgetary allocations that will substantially benefit each Local Government Area.

“This forum will enable the government to identify projects that will profoundly impact the residents of each locality,” the Governor remarked.

Governor Umo Eno knows by cultivating a space for open dialogue and collaboration between the government and the citizenry, the voices of those most affected by economic policies will be amplified and taken into account.

Governor Umo Eno expressed confidence that empowering local stakeholders through tailored initiatives and resource allocation would invigorate entrepreneurial ventures, enhance agricultural productivity, and fortify the trading sector.

As Governor Umo Eno aptly stated, “Together, we can build a future that reflects our shared aspirations and collective strength.”

The town hall meetings should not be misconstrued as mere PDP stakeholders forums; rather, they serve as an inclusive platform for all residents and citizens of Akwa Ibom to articulate their opinions and express their needs, which the government will subsequently incorporate into the 2026 budget.