Rt. Hon. Bassey Eko Ewa, former member of the House of Representatives for the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency and NDC candidate for Cross River Central Senatorial District, has listed a number of projects, empowerment programmes and community interventions he said he attracted or carried out during his years in office.
The projects, according to Eko Ewa, covered education, electricity, water, healthcare, rural infrastructure, youth empowerment and support for traditional institutions across Abi, Yakurr and Obubra Local Government Areas.
He also said some interventions were extended to other parts of Cross River State outside the federal constituency he represented.
PROJECTS IN ABI LGA
In Abi Local Government Area, Eko Ewa listed the construction of six-classroom blocks in Ediba, Usumotong and Adadama wards.
He also mentioned the provision of learning materials, skills and seating tables at Ekureku II Secondary School, as well as the supply and installation of a transformer in Ekureku I.
According to him, solar-powered boreholes with overhead tanks were provided in Itigidi, Ediba, Usumotong, Ekureku I and II, and Imabana I and II.
Solar streetlights were also listed for several communities and wards, including Afafanyi Igonigoni, Ebom, Adadama, Ediba, Usumotong, Itigidi, Ekureku I and II, and Imabana I and II.
On youth empowerment, Eko Ewa said more than two youths in each ward of Abi LGA received motorcycles and sewing machines, while some beneficiaries also received cassava-grating and palm-fruit processing machines.
He further stated that three people from each local government area were empowered with Keke Napep motorcycles.
PROJECTS ACROSS YAKURR
In Yakurr LGA, the former federal lawmaker listed several classroom projects.
These include a six-classroom block at Comprehensive School, Ekori, a three-classroom block with VIP toilets at Ekori Beach, a six-classroom block with VIP toilets at Community Secondary School, Ntan, and classroom blocks at Eko Inika Technical School, Assiga and Idomi.
He also listed the construction of an ICT centre in Ekori equipped with eight computers, a generator and other appliances.
In the electricity sector, Eko Ewa said transformers were supplied and installed in Idomi, Mkpani/Agoi and Afrekpe/Epenti, while electricity was extended to Agoi Ibami.
Water projects were also spread across several wards, with solar-powered boreholes and overhead tanks listed in Ijom, Ijiman, Idomi, Mkpani/Agoi, Abanakpai, Nkpolo/Ukoawan, Assiga, Inyima, Ntan, Epenti/Afrekpe and Ajere.
He also said some boreholes previously provided by his predecessor in Ijiman, Bokibiko, Ediba, Idomi and Ikpakapit were rehabilitated.
Other interventions in Yakurr included the supply of medical and hospital equipment to Ijiman and the installation of solar streetlights across the 13 political wards of the local government area.
On empowerment, he said youths across the wards benefited from motorcycles, sewing machines and Keke Napep, while some residents received palm-oil milling machines, cassava-grating machines and cars for transportation businesses.
FREE MEDICAL INTERVENTION
Eko Ewa also highlighted what he described as his “BEE’s Free Medical” programme.
According to him, he assembled a team of medical doctors who moved from ward to ward within the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency to provide medical services.
He said the programme included treatment of minor eye conditions, provision of eyeglasses and surgeries, including operations for appendicitis and glaucoma.
He said the medical intervention was designed to take healthcare closer to rural communities where many residents find it difficult to access specialist medical services.
INTERVENTION IN OBUBRA
In Obubra LGA, Eko Ewa listed the construction of a six-classroom block at Unity Secondary School, Ababenne.
He also listed solar streetlights in Ababenne, Ofoduwa, Apiapum, Obubra Urban, Ochen, Ofonbogha and Iyamouyong.
According to him, three motorcycles were given to selected youths in Ofat, Okum, Ababenne and Obubra Urban as part of his empowerment efforts.
He also said Osopong II received a rice tiller machine to support rice farming.
Beyond direct economic empowerment, Eko Ewa said he supported traditional institutions. He cited a contribution of 50 bags of cement, 30 bundles of zinc and cash towards the construction of a palace for the chiefs and people of Apiapum Clan.
He also mentioned the provision of zinc for the palace of the chief of Arobon Village in Ababenne.
PROJECTS OUTSIDE HIS FORMER CONSTITUENCY
Eko Ewa said his interventions were not limited to Abi and Yakurr.
He stated that he extended some projects to six other local government areas where he had not represented the people, particularly through the provision and installation of solar streetlights.
He also mentioned the distribution of motorcycles for farming and business purposes and rice-tilling machines to support farmers.
In Ikom LGA, he listed solar streetlight projects in Ikom Urban, Oluluma, Ofutop, Anam, Abayom and Nta/Nselle wards.
In Boki LGA, he listed solar streetlights in Abo, Ogep, Oku/Borum Njua, AlankU and Beboo/Bumaji wards.
SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES AND TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Beyond physical projects, Eko Ewa said he maintained a yearly Christmas support programme for the 23 wards that made up the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency during his time in office.
According to him, each ward received a cow, 20 bags of rice and cash every other year, while women received 56 wrappers per ward for Christmas celebrations.
He also said between 10 and 15 elders were selected to receive goats and cash, while some elder statesmen, irrespective of political affiliation, benefited from gifts and medical support.
Eko Ewa further said he contributed to the construction and improvement of traditional rulers’ palaces, describing the initiative as part of his effort to give traditional institutions befitting places to operate and administer justice.
WORK STILL ONGOING
While listing completed interventions, Eko Ewa also identified some projects he said were still in progress, particularly solar streetlight projects in Ikom and Boki.
The former lawmaker's account provides a broad picture of the projects and empowerment programmes he says formed part of his years of representation.
The listed interventions cut across major areas of rural development — education, water, electricity, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and community support.
However, the project list represents Eko Ewa’s account of his record, and individual projects, their funding sources, completion status and dates would require independent verification from relevant government agencies and project records.
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