Citizens Demand Better Roads, Healthcare, Electricity at Akwa Ibom Town Halls

Residents across four local government areas in Nigeria's Akwa Ibom State have voiced strong demands for immediate government intervention to address failing infrastructure and deteriorating public services. During a series of town hall meetings, citizens highlighted pressing concerns ranging from poor rural roads and unreliable electricity to inadequate healthcare and widespread youth unemployment.

The meetings, held between May 29 and June 12 in Ikono, Ibesikpo Asutan, Etinan, and Ikot Ekpene local government areas, were organized by Policy Alert in partnership with the local councils. These engagements aimed to foster accountability and enhance citizen participation in local governance. Approximately 240 participants, including community leaders, women, youth, persons with disabilities, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and government officials, attended the sessions.

Recurring issues across the communities included the dilapidated state of rural roads, prolonged electricity outages, insufficient healthcare facilities, a shortage of teachers, frequent flooding, and a lack of employment opportunities for young people. In Ikono, residents specifically called for the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve security and the swift completion of an abandoned Model Primary School project. They also pointed to the collapse of a bridge that has isolated communities, hindering economic and social activities.

Responding to the concerns, Emmanuel Ufon, Special Adviser on Media for the Ikono council chairman, stated that the issues would be integrated into the council's planning process as preparations for the 2027 budget commence. The town hall meetings provided a crucial platform for residents to directly question public officials, identify development priorities, and secure commitments on service delivery, particularly given the difficulties in accessing local government budgets in Akwa Ibom.

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Although concerns varied across communities, recurring issues included poor rural roads, prolonged electricity outages, inadequate healthcare facilities, shortage of teachers, flooding, youth unemployment and insecurity.