Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has directed the inter-ministerial committee on the international airport status of the Victor Attah Airport to ensure that all required benchmarks are met ahead of the commencement of full operations at the facility in April this year.

The Victor Attah Airport was upgraded to international status by the Federal Government last year, paving the way for the airport to begin processing international passengers in 2026.

The governor also charged the inter-ministerial committee on the Treasury Single Account to ensure the full implementation of the TSA for Internally Generated Revenue across the state.

Governor Eno gave the directives while inaugurating the two committees shortly after signing into law the ₦1.585 trillion 2026 budget during an enlarged State Executive Council meeting held on Monday.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, said the inauguration of the committees marked another strategic step by the administration to strengthen governance systems while accelerating the completion of major development projects in Akwa Ibom State.

According to the statement, members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Prince Enobong Uwah, Secretary to the State Government, who will serve as chairman; Hon. Emem Bob, Commissioner for Finance and Special Duties; Mr George Uriesi, Managing Director of Ibom Air; Engr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties; and Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien, Accountant-General. The Managing Director of the Airport Development Authority, Mr Uwem Ekanem, will serve as secretary of the committee.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenue has the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Bob, as chairman. Other members include Mr Uko Udom (SAN), Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Dr Frank Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy; Mr Frank Archibong, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Dr Ubong Inyang, Commissioner for Lands; and Dr Linus Nkan, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning. The Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Okon Okon, will serve as secretary.

Governor Eno expressed confidence in the members of both committees, noting that their collective experience and expertise would contribute meaningfully to the state’s infrastructural development and financial stability.

He urged the committees to intensify their efforts to ensure that all preparatory work remains on schedule.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026,” he said.

The governor stressed the importance of transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination among government agencies, warning that no agency would be allowed to operate an independent account outside the Treasury Single Account framework.

“No agency is allowed to own its own stand-alone account. All revenue must be generated and spent through one account. This is the only way we can maintain transparency and track our resources effectively.

“Let me make it absolutely clear that no part of government will generate money and spend.

“Please, if we find out that you circumvent this instruction in any way, we will not take it kindly. All funds should go to the Treasury Single Account.

“Then the committee will give back some percentages to the MDAs as running costs. We have a huge budget of ₦1.5 trillion, and we need these funds for the good of our people.”

Governor Eno further stated that the state currently has no outstanding bank loans and does not intend to accumulate debt unless it becomes unavoidable.

“As we speak, we know that Akwa Ibom is not owing any bank in this country — not one bank.

“And we don’t intend to owe, except if it becomes absolutely necessary, and we’ll go to the House of Assembly and make our case.

“We know there will be deficits from what we project from the federation account. We don’t intend to borrow. But we know that if we are honest, transparent and accountable, and all of us work to support the Treasury Single Account, we’ll have more than enough to execute the budget.”