2023 Elections: Mbo to become commercial hub for Gulf of Guinea as OBA promises to facilitate inclution of ORO nation in oil producing communities

A governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has earmarked Mbo as a nucleus for diversification of the state economy with the potential of becoming the commercial hub for the entire Gulf of Guinea.

This assurance was given during the senator’s ongoing consultive visit to Mbo local government Area where he laid bare his programmes and blueprint to the delegates and stakeholders.

And doubling down apparently to show commitment OBA said that the contract for the construction of the road to the seaport at Ibaka expected to provide over 5000 jobs is to be awarded within his first 100 days in office if he is returned governor in 2023.

In addition, he said an intensive human capital development scheme involving targeted training and equipment of youths with the required skillset and certification is to be launched in Mbo preparatory for the take-off of the Deep Seaport in Ibaka.

An aspect of the blueprint highlights a process where some selected indigenes of the state would be trained in critical areas like engineering, transport and logistics management, industrial welding and fabrication, maritime law, dockyard operations, and management, seafaring, marine engineering and oceanography, environmental impact assessment, pollution management, safety, and much more.

OBA promised in addition to commercialise fishing in the area with technical inputs to achieve better output.

This is against the backdrop of years of inactivity of Ebuhu Fishing Terminal. Revamping it according to the governorship aspirant will provide the platform for post-harvest value addition processing and linkage with local and international markets. “It costs nothing to bring in fishing trawlers to Mbo waters”, he said.

He also spoke about his conscious involvement in the Petroleum Industry Act, knowing that Mbo people and other oil-bearing communities in Akwa Ibom stand to benefit. He assured the people of his commitment to ensuring official recognition of Oro nation as an oil-bearing community.

He mentioned as well his scholarship scheme for students which has benefited 481 students, including Mbo children in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The venture he said has produced 28 first-class graduates already.

He spoke against “mbiam” politics, urging the people to support him based on their conscience, assuring that his administration will be a government of the people.

Earlier, the Director-General, Pastor Sunny Ibuot; chairman of, the Strategic Committee, Arch Bishop Andrew Unwanta, and Chairman, Campaign Council, Sir Emem Akpabio all spoke glowingly of OBA’s competence, capacity, and commitment to delivering dividends of democracy that will benefit the masses.

They also charged the people to support equity, justice, and fair play, so that Oro nation will also benefit from the equation when the governorship returns to Eket senatorial district.

“If you join them to kill rotation when governorship comes back to Eket Senatorial District, those same people will argue that it is open to everybody, thereby depriving Oron Federal Constituency of their opportunity“, Sir Akpabio said.

Pastor Ibuot said OBA has made Akwa Ibom proud at the national level in his representation in the Senate, therefore deserves to be given the chance to serve as governor.

Presenting OBA to the people, Akpabio described the aspirant as someone who is very qualified, competent, and knows Mbo in and out, having traversed the area while serving as chairman of inter-ministerial direct labour project under Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The Chapter Chairman, Mr. Etetim Okon Isemin, while responding, said all power belongs to God and prayed that OBA will sail through to Government House.

Ikpoto Okon Osung, a party chieftain from Oro nation, noted that the situation in the state is so bleak and the only person to redeem it is Senator Akpan.

Chief Eddie Abang, on his part, said it was the first time someone will come down to consult with the stakeholders in Mbo.

He pleaded with the aspirant to complete the abandoned Etebi-Ewang road and Uresi bridge linking the East-West road when he becomes the governor.