Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to commissioning the ARISE Palm Resort in September, declaring that the project remains firmly on schedule despite the challenges posed by the rainy season.
The Governor gave the assurance during an inspection of the tourism facility as part of the July Projects Delivery Meeting, where he assessed the level of work completed and received progress reports from contractors and project managers.
Expressing satisfaction with the quality of construction and the pace of execution, Governor Eno commended the contractors for their dedication and urged them to sustain the momentum to meet the delivery timeline.
He stressed that while the current rainy season presents operational challenges, it must not be used as an excuse for delays.
“We have set a target for September, and I believe we should be able to meet it. The rains should not be an excuse. We must continue to push forward and ensure this project is delivered on schedule,” the Governor stated.
Governor Eno described the ARISE Palm Resort as a flagship investment that will redefine tourism and hospitality in Akwa Ibom State, attract local and international visitors, stimulate private investment, and create employment opportunities for the people.
Beyond completing the project, the Governor said his administration is placing equal emphasis on its long-term sustainability. According to him, the greatest challenge facing many public projects across Africa is not construction but maintenance after commissioning.
He disclosed that the State Government has already developed a comprehensive sustainability and management framework to ensure that the resort remains functional, profitable, and professionally managed long after it is inaugurated.
“Maintenance and sustainability have always been the problem with public projects. That is why we are addressing them critically from the onset. We already have a sustainability plan in place to ensure that this resort is properly managed and maintained for generations to come,” he said.
The Governor explained that the sustainability framework will guarantee regular maintenance, efficient operations, and professional facility management, ensuring that the resort continues to deliver value to residents, tourists, and investors while contributing meaningfully to the state’s economy.
Providing an update on construction, the Managing Director of Bulletin Construction Company and Project Lead, Mr. Faysal Harb, assured the Governor that work is progressing according to schedule.
He disclosed that by August, key facilities within the resort will be ready for testing and operational trials ahead of the official commissioning.
According to him, the apartment complex and restaurant have reached advanced stages of completion and will be among the first facilities to undergo test running, while operators will gradually take over completed sections for furnishing, equipment installation, staff training, and other pre-operational activities.
Harb expressed confidence that the remaining works would be completed within the stipulated timeframe, paving the way for the September inauguration.
Also speaking, the Destination Marketing Manager, Mrs. Stellar Fubara, said preparations are already in top gear to position the ARISE Palm Resort as one of Nigeria’s leading tourism and hospitality destinations.
She revealed that comprehensive marketing campaigns, branding strategies, and operational plans are being implemented to ensure the facility attracts both domestic and international visitors immediately after commissioning.
The ARISE Palm Resort is one of the signature projects of the Umo Eno administration under the ARISE Agenda and is expected to significantly transform the tourism landscape of Akwa Ibom State by boosting visitor traffic, encouraging private sector investment, creating employment, and contributing to economic diversification.
With construction nearing completion, operators preparing for test runs, and a sustainability framework already in place, the project remains on course for its September commissioning, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to delivering enduring infrastructure that will serve the state for decades.
