Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has announced that communities with oil resources in the Niger Delta region are to be made hub for petrochemical
industries in the country. He said this at a Town Hall meeting during his one-day official visit to Akwa Ibom State.
He said the Town Hall meeting was to enable him interact with the stakeholders and the people of the state with a view to identifying their problems
and proffer solutions.
He said he was in the state as an
emissary of President Muhammadu Buhari who, after the visit of the leadership of the Niger Delta Forum in November, 2016, called for the tour of oil bearing communities to enable him restrategise on the development of the region.
Osinbajo, who assured the people of the federal government’s commitment to the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project and upgrading of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron said “The federal government takes seriously the Ibaka Deep Seaport project. Already we have made provision of N1 billion in this
year’s budget to support the project.”
The Acting President announced the award of contract for the dualisation of Aba-Ikot Ekpene federal highway explaining that the road was critical to the development of the nation’s
economy and would also facilitate
movement of people in the
neighbouring states.
While stating government’s
determination to ensuring all round development of the Niger Delta region, he described as a privilege an opportunity to be hosted by Akwa Ibom people whom he said are blessed with a
rich ancestry.
He lauded the political elites and youths of the state for letting go their political differences and come together in a town hall meeting to seek redress in
issues affecting their community and particularly expressed appreciation to the youths for their peaceful disposition in tackling their problems.
He maintained that “there is no pleasure in destroying assets in the community and driving potential away investors”
but cautioned that the struggle for fairness and justice can be done peacefully with great results.
Osinbajo used the occasion to call on the people to cooperate with the Buhari administration to drive the vision that will engender development and peaceful
co-existence in the country.
Earlier, Governor Emmanuel called on the federal government to resuscitate the ailing Aluminium Smelting Company at Ikot Abasi and the Paper Mill Limited at
Oku Iboku, Itu Local Government Area of the state, and highlighted the economic benefits of the project to the people.
The governor made a case for the
improvement of funding to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to enable the ministry deliver on its obligations and urged the federal government to establish a skill development centre for oil and gas in the state as a way of
domiciling the Local Content Act.
In separate presentations, stakeholders asked the federal government to direct all multinational oil and gas companies operating in the state to relocate their operational offices to the oil bearing communities.
Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga particularly called on the federal government to take steps to implement issues raised in the
16-point dialogue Document laid before the President and commended the federal government’s decision to stop
destruction of modular refineries saying that the policy will boost local content of the petroleum industry, create wealth and employment as well as safe guard
the environment.
Also, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, expressed appreciation to the federal government for appointing Akwa Ibom sons and
daughters into positions of
responsibility and listed the appointees to include the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma; Managing Director, NDDC, Obong
Nsima Ekere; MD, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Obong Umana Okon Umana; and others.
On the communal clash between the people of Ikot Offiong and their neighbours in Itu Local Government Area of the state, Akpabio called on the federal government to consider the
construction of a military barrack at the boundary between the warring communities to avert further bloodshed and destruction of properties.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the federal government was serious in
consulting the oil producing
communities for the realisation of a peaceful business environment and that Akwa Ibom, being an oil producing state, has been considered for special attention in the country.
On arrival, the Acting President
inspected the 2nd Runway Project at Ibom International Airport and also paid homage to the state Traditional Rulers Council where he was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Obong Emem Akwa Ibom by the Chairman, State Council of Chiefs, Obong Effiong Bassey Achianga.
