The journey towards a greater Cross River Central has just begun. The future is here, and it is brighter than ever!
On June 13, 2023, the 10th Senate was inaugurated with the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON as President of the Nigeria Senate. Today, the Senate clocks 2 years, this is therefore a mid-term review of performance of Distinguished Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Representing Cross River Central Senatorial District.
In two years, Senator Eteng Williams showcases an enviable scorecard of effective representation as a legislator par excellence. His track record in the Senate is marked by the sponsorship of relevant bills, consistent constituency outreach, community interventions, human capacity development and empowerments.
Bills and Motions:
Senator Williams has demonstrated legislative prowess by sponsoring the following bills:
1. Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB 525), which seeks to establish the Federal Medical Centre in Ugep. This institution will eliminate the burden of long-distance travel for tertiary medical care, bringing state-of-the-art healthcare closer to the people of Cross River Central.
2. Chartered Institute of Petroleum and Gas Engineers of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024: Currently awaiting its third and final reading, the bill seeks to enhance professionalism within the petroleum and gas engineering sector in the country. Key objectives of the bill include improving collaboration between academia and the industry, raising professional standards to meet international best practices, and creating a platform for networking among professionals.
Other Bills which have successfully scaled the first reading include:
3. Nuclear Safety Security and Safeguard Bill, 2023
4. Mineral and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Motions Raised
Senator Williams has proactively addressed pressing national issues through critical motions, including:
1. Relief Support for Citizens Affected by Communal Clashes: Advocating federal intervention for victims of the Ovonum and Ofatura communal conflict.
2. Curbing Illegal Oil Exploitation in Nigeria: Addressing the economic and environmental dangers of unregulated oil activities.
3. Security and Protection for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Ensuring government action to safeguard displaced populations in Cross River Central.
4. Revitalization of Technical and Vocational Education: A motion calling for urgent measures to salvage Nigeria’s collapsing technical education sector.
5. Reform of Nigeria’s Counterpart Fund Policy: Proposing the establishment of a National Counterpart Fund Account for better financial management and project execution.
Solar Powered Boreholes:
To ensure sustainable water supply, particularly in regions that suffer from water scarcity.
Senator Eteng Williams have constructed and completed solar-powered water projects in following locations:
1 Completed Solar powered borehole in Bendeghe-Ekiem, Etung
2 Completed Solar powered borehole in Ediba, Abi
3 Completed Solar powered borehole in Olulumo, Ikom
4 Completed Solar powered borehole in Ababene, Obubra
5 Completed Solar powered borehole in Ijom, Ugep
6 Completed Solar powered borehole in Assiga, Yakurr
7 Completed Solar powered borehole in Aduma, Mkpani,
8 Completed Solar powered borehole in Afaben, Mkpani
9 Completed Solar powered boreholes in Boje, Boki.
Solar-Powered Street Lights:
In line with his ‘Project Light Up Central’ Initiative, Senator Eteng Williams have installed quality solar lights in the following communities:
1. Yakurr LGA – Ugep, Ekori, Idomi, Mkpani, Inyima, Assiga, Nko, Idomi
2. Obubra LGA – Obubra Urban, Oderegha/Ovukwa, Ofumbungha/Yala, Isobo Otaka, Isobo Biko-Biko and Onyodama
3. Boki LGA – Wula Ekumpuo, Okwabang, Agba Osokom and Katchuan Irruan,
4. Etung LGA – Nsofang, Ajassor and Abia
5. Abi LGA – Adadama, Usumutong, Imabana I and II, Ekureku II
6. Ikom LGA – Abanyom Ward, Nta – Nselle Ward, Ofutop Ward 2, Ikom Urban Ward 2
These lights would enhance security and improve the micro economy of the communities, considering the importance of light to human and societal development. The solar street lights would, to a great extent, curb many nefarious acts during night hours, thereby contributing to the security measures in the area.
Road Construction:
In a bold demonstration of purposeful leadership and unwavering commitment to grassroots development, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, has embarked on the construction of key rural access roads across his Senatorial district connecting hard-to-reach communities, boost local economies, and improve the standard of living for his constituents. Some of the latest road projects include:
1. Construction of 2km Mkpani Ring Road – Ongoing
2. Construction of Lebang – Lokpoi Road – Ongoing
3. Facilitated the construction of the Ebom–Ndibe Bridge(Second interstate bridge connecting Cross River State and Ebonyi State)
4. Grading of Agba 1 & Agba 2 Road in Boki LGA – Awarded
5. Grading of Iyamoyong – Okumuruktet – Iyamitet Road in Obubra LGA – Awarded
Empowerment Grants/Vocational Trainings
Through his comprehensive and people-centered empowerment initiative, in two years, Senator Eteng Williams have disbursed over ₦159 million in grants, training support, and startup tools—making a tangible difference in the lives of farmers, traders, students, and vulnerable groups across Cross River Central Senatorial District.
Empowerment Grants Breakdown:
• ₦55 Million in Economic Grants: 550 individuals, including students, market women, and small-scale farmers, received ₦100,000 each to boost local businesses and alleviate financial strain.
• ₦22 Million in Agro Grants: 180 constituents were supported with funds and starter packs to help them establish and grow agribusiness ventures, strengthening food production and rural livelihoods.
• ₦12 Million for Anti-Child Trafficking Training: 120 participants who attended sensitization workshops on child trafficking received training allowances, promoting awareness and advocacy against human trafficking in vulnerable communities.
• ₦2.4 Million for Poultry & Livestock Empowerment: 80 beneficiaries were equipped with 50-day-old chicks, feed, and essential farming tools—laying the foundation for sustainable income through livestock production.
• ₦50 Million in Presidential Grants: As part of federal economic relief efforts, Senator Williams facilitated disbursement to 1,200 individuals, each receiving ₦50,000 to support household stability amidst inflation and job losses.
• ₦18 Million for Vocational Training Support: 600 youths and women completed skills acquisition programs and were awarded startup grants, empowering them to launch small businesses in areas such as tailoring, ICT, catering, and more.
Entrepreneurship Training and SME’s Support:
In a bid to support economic growth and empower local entrepreneurs, constituents and small business owners from all 66 wards of the Cross River Central Senatorial District were nominated to participate in the MEDA/BOI training program.
Foreign Scholarship:
As part of his commitment in empowering our youths with quality education and international exposure. Senator Eteng Williams has facilitated foreign scholarship for 12 beneficiaries from Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. The full scholarship, valued at over €40,000 each, covers tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses for the entire duration of their studies.
Four scholars are pursuing Ph.D. degrees in the UK and Scotland, while eight are pursuing Master’s degrees at prestigious universities in the UK, Germany, France, and Malaysia.
Local Scholarships:
The Law school grant for students across Cross River Central Senatorial District has empowered 60 law graduate in two years.
Beneficiaries received N200,000 – N250,000 each across Law School campuses in the country.
In-country Scholarship for Post-Graduate Students
About 50 students pursuing post-graduate studies (Masters and Ph.D) in Nigerian Universities have been captured to receive full scholarship grants worth over N2 Million Naira each per session.
Agricultural Intervention:
In a bid to boost agricultural productivity and achieve food security, Senator Eteng Williams Distributed 1200 bags of NPK and Urea Fertilizers to support rural farmers across the 66 wards of the Cross River Central Senatorial District.
Employment/Job Placement/Appointment:
Senator Eteng Jonah Williams as Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream has facilitated Federal Government employment for 6 Constituents in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Others include political appointments, job placement in military and para-military agencies, as well as constituency office. Notable beneficiaries include:
Hon. Bernard Inah
Hon. Usang Eteng Mbang
Gabriel Ojie Otu
Godwin Christopher
Hon. Jacob Ojie
Awusa Dibang
Ajugbor Williams
Kyrien Agbor
Ndoma Akunubor
Patra Asie
Henry Ofem
Rose Okojie
Lucy Etta
Hon. Hossana Isong
Ikoi Eteng
Theophilus Abri
Ogar Nkarense Obia
Gifted Nelson
Godwin Christopher Egbe
Elemi Isong Nkanu
Ikpi Ibiang Eteng
Otu Ayei Otu
Abam Michael Ubibi
Oka Michael Omini
Obeten Elijah Ibiang
Ofem Simon Udumo
Ntem Ubi Thankgod
Aji Martina Unung
Bisong Robert Bita
Akong Samuel Erunke
Ojong Ojong Ojong
Ndifon Ruth Odu
Onyekwere Chimmuanya Goodness
Okey Arowosong Iwowo
Eju Judith Enare
Medical Outreach\Intervention:
The first phase of Senator Eteng Williams FREE Medical Outreach recorded 10,000 beneficiaries in 6 days and 7 different locations.
In addition, 235 free surgeries were recorded, and deworming of 1028 children across the six Local Government Areas in Cross River Central Senatorial District.
Similarly, Senator Eteng Williams paid unscheduled visits to some major medical facilities across Cross River Central Senatorial District, in the spirit of the Easter celebrations where he cleared medical bills of patients in critical conditions, newborns and patients who had been treated but awaiting discharge due to lack of funds.
Plans have been concluded to sign up 1,200 constituents into the State Health Insurance Scheme.
Educational Interventions:
In the provision of educational infrastructure, Senator Eteng Williams has facilitated the construction of a 3-classroom block in Aduma Primary School, Mkpani at 85% completion.
He has also donated instructional materials such as Notebooks, School bags, Calculators, Mathematical sets, Writing Items, and others to over 50 public schools in Cross River Central Senatorial District.
Sports Development:
As a lover of sports, Distinguished Senator Eteng Williams sponsored the Sweet Prince Otu Cup for pupils in over 40 secondary schools across the state to boast grassroots football and to support the Senator Otu-led administration in sports development.
Senator Eteng Williams also sponsored the Yakurr Unity Cup in 2024 with all the 13 council wards participating.
Community Intervention:
This underscores Senator Eteng Williams strong grassroots connection and his relentless pursuit of progress and better living standards of the people of Cross River Central Senatorial District, some of the interventions include;
Construction of six (6) modern toilets facility to Ikom Police Division – Completed
Donation of N10m Naira to Ekpache-Nkome community in Ikom Urban ward
Donation of N2m Naira to support ongoing palace project of His Royal Highness, Eval Ejom Edward Ejom
Distribution of 2,400 bags of rice during the Yuletide celebration to the following:
1. 66 Ward across Cross River Central Senatorial District through the LGA Chairmen
2. All APC Chapter Exco
3. 66 Councilors
4. 10 Community Relations Officers (CRO’s)
5. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
6. Paramount Ruler of 6 LGA’s
7. All Security Agencies
8. Non-indigene community
9. Persons living with disabilities
In conclusion, there is no doubt that Senator Eteng Williams is at forefront of highly performing first timers of the 10th Senate. He has been identified in the red chambers as a legislative asset worthy of preservation. His ability to maintain seamless relationships with key stakeholders, leverage his institutional memory, and demonstrate humility and openness, drive development initiatives, and serve his constituents effectively has made him a respected leader in the Central Senatorial District.
The journey towards a greater Cross River Central has just begun. The future is here, and it is brighter than ever!
Hope Obeten, ANIPR, is a media consultant and writes from Abuja.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Hope Obeten, and do not represent the opinion of TheInvestigator or any other organization the author works for/with.