𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 by A’Ibom Govt Begins 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the commencement of the third phase of its Free Food Distribution Programme across all 31 Local Government Areas of the state, with the exercise scheduled to begin on August 20, 2025.

This formed part of key decisions reached during the State Executive Council meeting held yesterday at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo, and presided over by Governor Umo Eno.

The programme, which was first launched in the first quarter of last year, is a major component of the ARISE Food Security initiative and specifically targets vulnerable residents across the state. It aims to cushion the impact of rising food prices by making staple items accessible at subsidized rates. Since its inception, it has been widely described as a timely and God-sent intervention by many beneficiaries.

Briefing Government House Reporters, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt Hon. Aniekan Umanah divulged that, this third phase will reach a broader segment of the population, consolidating gains recorded in the earlier phases of the programme.

Meanwhile, the Council also took decisions on several fiscal and infrastructural matters. These include the approval of the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, the formal adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy for the state, and plans to launch the TSA platform “Akwaremit” and the AkwaGIS land management system on September 1.

On infrastructure, Umanah said, Council gave a nod to additional works at Ewet Luxury Estate due to topographical constraints, and also approved the construction of 4.541km internal roads and drainage systems at Dakkada Luxury Estate, Uyo.

The Council, according to the Information boss, further approved the renewal of Julius Berger’s maintenance contract for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and directed the Sports Ministry to procure modern equipment ahead of the upcoming Akwa Ibom Sports Festival.

In line with the state’s sanitation drive, the State Government is constructing hygiene facilities in public places across four pilot LGAs, namely; Obot Akara, Ikono, Esit Eket, and Nsit Ubium, as part of efforts to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.