The N32 billion Akwa Ibom Worship Center is more a tourist attraction than a worship centre, the State Governor, Umo Eno has said.

Eno made this known on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving and New Year service held at the newly completed worship center in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He explained that the world-class worship centre will attract tourists as well as men of God around the world who want to physically witness the beauty of the edifice as well as seek the face of God.

He expressed his appreciation to his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, who began the project during his administration, stating that it was God who planted the idea of the structure in the mind of the former Governor, thanking God for the completion of the project during his tenure.

“I feel fulfilled today as a person for two reasons, one, I had prayed that my boss will be in this service because his hands started this project and I had wished and prayed that he would come.”

“Sir, I am very happy you made it. Thank you for the vision that God gave to you, this is not just a worship centre but a tourist attraction. We thank God that we have a place that we can come together and worship.”

While the State Government suffered severe backlash and lots of criticisms from both indigenes and non-indigenes on social media, Akwa Ibomites who attended the service at the worship centre expressed enthusiasm and happiness about the project and stated that it was a welcome development.

In an interview with Kristina Reports, Emem Edet, a civil servant said she is very happy about the development, stating that Akwa Ibom is God’s own state.

She explained that just like God told Solomon to build him a temple in the Bible, God also asked Udom Emmanuel to build him a temple in Akwa Ibom and no one has the right to question God.

“I have seen all the things people are saying about this worship centre and all I can say is that they lack the insight that God gives to his people. Just like Solomon, our former Governor heeded to the word of God and built this edifice.”

“I don’t expect normal human beings to understand it but this is the act of God and we are very happy about it.”

Jonas Ekpo said “I was not very comfortable with this project when I didn’t see it, now that I am here, I think it has the potential to attract tourists because it is a very beautiful building, people will travel from around the world to see it, I’m sure of it. The Government has done a good job.”

However, Sunday Essien, who spoke to Kristina Reports on the streets of Uyo, believes that it is a waste of resources.

“There are a lot of things that 32 billion could be used for. Some communities in that state don’t have medical facilities, roads are bad, electricity is poor, students are sitting on the floor to study in schools and so much money is spent on a worship centre. This is a case of misplaced priorities and it is very sad.”