Akwa Ibom ecumenical centre to be completed in 22 months

Hon Akan Okon 

Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties Mr. Akan Okon on Sunday said the Akwa Ibom State International Worship Centre would be completed within a period of one year and ten months.

He stated this in a chat with newsmen in his Ewet Housing residence shortly after the ground breaking ceremony of the event which was held at the Banking layout, off Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.

Akan Okon maintained that the project upon completion will be the best of its kind which will be used for Christian Religious activities and engagements. The former Commissioner for Finance poured cold water on those screaming that the project is ill timed and poorly planned saying that the state is long overdue for a structure of such magnitude.

On the funding for the project, Akan Okon who is the brain behind the ecumenical centre said, the funding will majorly come from private organizations, corporate bodies and citizens who are public spirited. He however added that government will contribute their own quota but that at the moment, it is unclear how much the State Government will contribute.

“ I cannot stand now to tell you how much government will contribute to the International worship centre because there may likely be variations especially as corporate citizens have indicated very strong interests to contribute towards the project. “But I can tell you that most of the funds that will be channeled into the project will be coming from sponsorships. It won’t be coming from Government”.

Okon who commended the turn out to the ground breaking ceremony of the International Worship Centre disclosed that the centre would be constructed by construction giants Julius Berger. He appealed to Christians all over the State to ensure that they contribute financially and morally towards the project so as to obtain the blessings that come from building a befitting place of worship for God.

Going down scriptural lane, the Housing and Special Duties Commissioner reminded newsmen of the Biblical blessings that those who built for God enjoyed and added that the God who blessed People in those days is still in the business of blessings. He added that a plague will be made for names of sponsors to be embroided on.

When asked to comment on the special features that will adorn the building upon completion Mr. Okon said, every structure or department that makes up a worship centre shall be there including a vestry, a library, choir stands and others. He said, the model of the building is world class and superb.

The financial expert appealed to Akwa Ibomites beyond party affiliations and ethnic biases to come join hands with Government to ensure a befitting place of worship is built for God. He said, “There is no need criticizing the project, we are long overdue for a worship centre. “It is a project that has the backing of God.

So, I want to urge you gentlemen of the press in your analysis, be positive and constructive about the Akwa Ibom State International Worship Centre. It is a Pan-Akwa Ibom Project. On the opposition to the initiative, Okon said “recollect when Obong Attah wanted to build the airport, people criticized him and said it wasn’t necessary.

But today, what is the story? “The Commissioner however expressed optimism that the Worship centre will be of importance to members of the State.

He concluded that the centre shall add values, economic value, spiritual value and infrastructural values to Akwa Ibom State.