The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced a change in the opening date of the ongoing Arise Palm Resort project, assuring that a new and more stable date for its official commissioning will be announced soon.
Governor Eno expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded at the resort and appealed to residents to remain patient, explaining that the decision to shift the opening date was to allow for perfect finishing touches on the project.
The governor made the announcement while leading a delegation on an inspection tour of the resort, located along Dominic Utuk Avenue in Uyo. He noted that the onset of the dry season had significantly accelerated construction work but clarified that the resort would no longer be opened in December as earlier anticipated.
According to him, the adjustment was necessary to ensure that the facility meets global standards before being unveiled to the public.
Speaking to journalists shortly after inspecting the facilities, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Hon. Festus Keyamo, described the Arise Palm Resort as a “mind-blowing” tourist destination that would complement operations at the Victor Attah International Airport (VAIA).
Keyamo said his visit was primarily to assess the readiness of infrastructure at VAIA ahead of the commencement of full international operations, noting that aviation and tourism are closely linked.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between aviation and tourism. With developments like this, the Victor Attah International Airport is set to become one of the busiest international airports in Nigeria,” he said.
Expressing further delight at the scale of the resort, the minister added, “The Arise Palm Resort is huge and mesmerising. What we have here is one of the best facilities we will have in this country. It is a proper family resort that will strongly support our international airport business.”
He highlighted the resort’s features, including the artificial lake fed by natural underground spring water, the clubhouse, villas, floating bars and restaurants, as well as sporting and recreational facilities, noting that the entire ecosystem complements the airport’s international status.
The minister also commended Governor Eno for his visionary leadership, describing the transformation of the site from an erosion-prone area into a world-class tourist destination as remarkable.
According to him, the governor’s decision to convert what was once an ecological disaster zone into a major tourism hub is a testament to purposeful governance aimed at attracting both local and international visitors to Akwa Ibom State.
