Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has expressed his administration’s commitment and readiness to the establishment of the Qua Iboe Export Hub, which will warehouse three major industries including a petrochemical refinery and a fertilizer plant in Ibeno.
The State Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, made this known on Friday during the inauguration and commissioning of projects initiated by his administration through the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC) in the area.
While reiterating his avowed commitment to the development of education, he hinted that government has put modalities on ground to aid the rehabilitation and completion of the Model Secondary School in Atabrikang for use by the people of the area.
He further disclosed that Ibeno has remained the most peaceful Oil Producing Community in Nigeria, emphasizing that its peaceful nature necessitated government decision to cite an Export Hub and BUA Group to also establish a 200,000bpd Refinery in the area.
In his remark, Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Council, High Chief William Mkpa, appreciated the Governor for the construction of Eket-Ibeno Road, a project he said has eased thoroughfare.
He appealed the Governor to assist in making drainages within and outside the premises of Secondary Grammar School, Upenekang, and rehabilitation of dilapidated Classroom Block and Offices in the school.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on IMDLCC, Mr. Sampson Idiong, said the “construction and renovation of school facilities in Ibeno is in line with an early state-of-emergency declaration by Governor Emmanuel to reposition the education sector.”
In their separate goodwill messages presentation, Commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Samuel Ekpenyong; Eket Senatorial District PDP Woman Leader, Mrs. Grace Ekpe-Nko; Youth Leader of Upenekang, Barr. Martins Asukpa, and the Village Head of Upenekang, Obong J.T. Essiet commended the Governor’s thrust and commitment to the development of education and its infrastructure in Ibeno.
The Principal of the School, Mr. William Douglas, appreciated the Governor for alleviating the suffering of both teachers and students through renovation and construction of classrooms, appealing that “more academic staff and library should be made available in the school.”
Some of the projects commissioned were four Classroom Block at Secondary Grammar School, Upenekang; Block of Science Laboratory at Secondary Grammar School, Six Classroom Block at Government Primary School, Mkpanak, Solar Power Mini Water Scheme at Hausa Community, Iwokpom, Physic and Chemistry Laboratory at Secondary Grammar School, Ibeno, three Classroom Block at Comprehensive High School, Iuna Eyet Ikot, three Classroom Block and Hall at Primary School, Opolum, Assembly Hall and Office at Grammar Primary School, Mkpanak and six Classroom Block at Govt. Primary School, Mkpanak, Ibeno.
Present at the event were the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Linus Nkan; Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong; Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh; Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs. Enobong Mbobo; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Imo Moffat; Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Housing, Otuekong Raphael Bassey, and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan.
Others included Special Assistants to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Hon. Ekoakwaha Etteh and Mr. Martins Inyangetoh, Traditional Rulers amongst others.
