Governor Udom Emmanuel is passionate about changing the culture of Akwa Ibom people from that of Consumption to one of Production through the establishment of cottage industries.

This was made known by Elder Ufot Ebong, the Coordinator of Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES) and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, today in Uyo, during an interview session with media men at his residence.

Speaking with certainty about the sustainability of the Scheme beyond 2023, the Technical boss explained that the scheme is presently running well, free from undue interferences from government as it is the desire of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel to see that cottage industries established in the State are eventually owned and managed by capable private individuals and shareholders who are Akwa Ibom indigenes.

Expantiating further, the AKEES Coordinator, said that the Scheme is structured in such a way that all AKEES affiliates will eventually have to pay back the set up money used in setting up the businesses, into government account with Treasury receipts as proof, stressing that no government official will be allowed to buy shares into the established businesses when they are eventually privatized.

Projecting the future of AKEES, Elder Ebong, a technocrat, said it would bring him joy to see that the present workers in the established cottage industries eventually apply for jobs in bigger industries in the State because they have been trained by AKEES and have the required practical knowledge and experience.

Speaking earlier on the number of persons employed by the Scheme, Elder Ufot said that while he is happy that people have been employed he is happier that more people have become indirectly employed down the value chain, revealing that as of now, about six thousand (6,000) persons have been directly employed through the various models of AKEES.

Talking about the successes of AKEES in helping people generate production ideas and rising to their greatness, he reeled out names of well known growing entrepreneurs in the State mentored by AKEES,adding that more people who have been inspired by the Scheme’s success are coming up with ideas for businesses.

Meanwhile in an interview session with a consultant to AKEES on Agricultural revolution, Mr. Brezhnev Langwa, who was seen today working in the 100 hectares of land mapped out by the State government for vegetable crops planting, situated at Okobo behind the Ibom International Airport; reveals that AKEES is indeed geared at making individuals become successful entrepreneurs.

The Agric consultant stated that so far, out of the 100 hectares of land cleared, and with a staff strength of 40 persons directly employed, 8 hectares of land have been cultivated with tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, garden eggs and watermelon, while plans are in top gear to start planting the remaining hectares.

Earlier, Mr. Brezhnev Langwa intimated that AKEES has been able to train people in Agricultural techniques while being employed and today about six of them are successfully doing well in different areas of the State, adding that AKEES is about teaching skills while still earning.