By Princess Don, Uyo
The Atta Oro and Paramount Ruler of Okobo Local Government Area, His Eminence, Edidem Ita Okokon, has expressed deep appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his administration’s investment in the Akwa Ibom State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (AKS-RAAMP), which has led to the ongoing construction and modernization of the Atabong Beach Market in Okobo.
The royal father made the commendation recently at his palace during a citizens’ engagement forum organized by AKS-RAAMP for stakeholders of the market and surrounding communities.
The session was aimed to strengthen community participation, support, and cooperation for the smooth execution and sustainability of the project.
Edidem Okokon described the Atabong Beach Market as “the center-point of crayfish trade in Nigeria,” noting that traders from Abuja, Lagos, Cross River State, and the Southeast frequently visit the market for bulk purchases.
“Without the Governor’s determined focus on rural development and his commitment to fulfilling World Bank protocols, AKS-RAAMP would not have been empowered to intervene in the market,” the monarch stated.
He also commended the State Government’s security measures, including the deployment of gunboats to patrol the waterways, saying the move has curtailed piracy and boosted business confidence.
“When the market is completed, I want to advise that one gunboat be stationed at the center between Ishiet and Oron—the main entrance to Atabong—to further guarantee security,” he added.
In her remarks, Obonanwan Affiong Etim Asuquo, a medium-scale crayfish trader and Atabong Clan Council woman leader, lauded the project as a major boost for women, who make up the majority of traders at the beach market.
“We are very grateful to the Government for this intervention. It will promote import and export activities from Atabong Beach Market and enable us to expand our crayfish business while diversifying into other goods,” she said.
Similarly, Prince Edet Effiong, Vice Youth President of Atabong Clan, echoed the community’s gratitude to Governor Umo Eno, the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and AKS-RAAMP for their collaborative roles in revitalizing the market.
“We, the youths, are fully cooperating with the contractors and have mobilized our internal security to ensure the safety of the project site because we all love and welcome this development,” he affirmed.
The citizens’ engagement event featured detailed presentations by the AKS-RAAMP team, reactions from market and community leaders, as well as an interactive session where stakeholders pledged continued collaboration for the successful completion of the project.
The Atabong Beach Market upgrade is one of several AKS-RAAMP interventions under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, designed to improve rural infrastructure, market access, and agricultural productivity across Akwa Ibom State.
