Akwa Ibom State Government has assured youths that the Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES) will stand the test of time beyond 2023, maintaining that practical measures have been put in place to ensure its sustainability.
This assurance was made on Friday in Uyo by Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process and Coordinator of AKEES, Elder Ufot Ebong, during a Planet Fm Radio Programme, the People’s Parliament.
Recalling with sadness the unfortunate fate of the Ceramic Industry close to the AKEES Industrial Park, Itam, the AKEES boss noted that an industrial conflict between staff and management which would have been resolved in days, resulted in the shutting down of the firm for about 25 years now because there was government interference from the then Commissioner who intervened, promising to resolve the dispute.
Drawing inference from the Ceramic case, Elder Ebong asserted that the Scheme established by the State government, from its inception, was set up to run and manage itself with minimal government interference, adding that to ensure accountability the State Government will only carry out oversight function for now till when AKEES ventures are privatized.
Speaking further, he stated that AKEES is currently enjoying a moratorium which allows the management of the AKEES ventures to later pay gradually, the cost of setting up the factories; into the State government treasury account.
Elder Ebong, however quickly added that at a set time, the State government will ask the State House of Assembly to privatise AKEES ventures so that every Akwa Ibom sons and daughters will have equal chances of being a share holder.
Recounting the success stories of AKEES, its Coordinator revealed that Akwa Ibom State is now a major supplier of cucumber to Rivers State through the Akwa Ibom State Enterprise and Employment Scheme. (AKEES).
He explained that AKEES was able to achieve that feat because many Akwa Ibom youths have reawaken their spirit of enterprise and ventured into agriculture and other areas of wealth creation, citing the Made in Akwa Ibom Showroom located at Oron road which has over 150 indigenous products on display.
Praising Governor Udom Emmanuel, he urged youths to key into government programmes instead of being skeptical, adding that the State Governor is set to take Akwa Ibom State to a surpassing superior level, while making sure that youths continue to have a sustainable means of living beyond 2023.
Recalling the rationale behind the creation of AKEES by Governor Udom, Elder Ufot stated that the scheme was borne out of the need for skilled man-power that would be able to handle the industrial boom gathering momentum.
Still on the creation and relevance of the scheme, he added that the State Governor is so passionate about job creation for Akwa Ibom youths such that there will be paucity of ‘political crowd’ because the youths would be busy in their different places of employment creating wealth for themselves.
Reacting to those not happy with the establishment of AKEES cottage industries, Elder Ebong explained that the Asian economic giant countries today all started with cottage industries which are still operational, noting that in pursuant of the industrial dream for Akwa Ibom, 2 or 3 more industrial parks will be built from next year, all of which will create more than 4,000 additional paid jobs.
Debunking the notion that AKEES staff are on the State government payroll, Elder Ebong who also is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process; reiterated that all AKEES ventures pay themselves with minimal government interference, stating that his only job as the Coordinator is to audit raw materials, sales and ensure that salaries are paid, all in line with the principle of Due Process.
