‘I will change the nomenclature of A’Ibom from civil service to private sector driven economy’- Sen. Akpan

A frontline governorship aspirant for the 2023 election in Akwa Ibom, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan a.k.a OBA, has promised to resuscitate all the moribund industries in the state thereby repositioning her from the status of a civil service state to a private sector-driven economy.

The serving Senator, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial district has promised to attract genuine investors to the state to invest in areas where the state has a comparative advantage, noting that such effort would facilitate additional employment for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

According to him, one of such industries that would attract his urgent attention for resuscitation is the Akwa Palm Estate, stressing that, a technical audit will be conducted once he becomes the governor in 2023.

The Palm Estate facility sits on over 3,000 hectares of land and has suffered neglect for more than three decades. The governorship hopeful said the project can give Esit Eket a comparative advantage and make them self-reliant if harnessed.

“We will partner with the right investors to get this working”, he said during his consultative visit to Esit Eket council area.

While charging the delegates and stakeholders to evaluate aspirants’ antecedents before supporting them, the senator urged them to use their votes to determine their future by supporting him.

He recalled that he signed the guarantee of $66 million for Septa Energy company, as the then Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State, thereby opening up opportunities for employment and development of Esit Eket. “By the grace of God, I will do the best for you as your governor”, he added.

OBA also talked about the recently passed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which he spearheaded assured that it would be beneficial to the people of Esit Eket and promised to do more for them if voted into office.

Presenting his blueprint and compendium of achievements to the delegates, OBA cited the 481 students under his scholarship scheme of which about 168 million has been expended already.

Additionally, Esit Eket is soon to enjoy a link road to the shoreline. The senator regretted that the contract earlier awarded by NDDC to that effect was later abandoned.

“As part of our programmes, we intend to complete abandoned projects in the state, and this project will not be an exception”, he said.

The erosion that has threatened the Ukwo community in recent times, he noted, deserves urgent attention, promising to partner with the relevant agencies to ensure the mitigation of the negative impact of the natural disaster.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of his campaign team and immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mkpisong Ephraim Inyang-eyen, called for support for OBA because according to him, he “has shown evidence of capacity, has shown evidence of competence and has shown evidence of achievements”.

Describing OBA as “the only senator representing Akwa Ibom,” he recalled how in 2015 Senator Akpan stepped down from the governorship contest to pave the way for the current governor to emerge from Eket Senatorial District.

He added that, in 2019, when other senators decamped to APC, OBA remained the only senator that stayed back to support the incumbent Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Inyang-eyen told the delegates that have served well as commissioner, chairman of Inter-ministerial Direct Labour Project in Akwa Ibom State and then as senator, OBA as a “tested hand”, will perform beyond expectation as governor.

“If you want to send someone on a mission, send someone who has the capacity”, he submitted.

While the Leader of Esit Eket Legislative Council, Hon. Bright Maxwell assured them that they will vote their conscience, the Chapter Chairman, Elder Eddy Etangnkanga, went spiritual.

Quoting copiously from. the scripture, Etangnkanga said unless the Lord builds, the labourer labours in vain; assured him that whoever asks for, he shall receive.

He described the senator as “a good man”, submitting that, the delegates have heard him well and will vote their conscience, in tandem with the state party Chairman, Rt Hon Aniekan Akpan’s directive that the delegates should be fair to all aspirants.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Hon. John Inua-etang confessed he was one of those who benefited from OBA, particularly when he had an accident, and assured that the stakeholders will impress on the delegates of Esit Eket to support the senator.

As a mother, Obonganwan Etim Itama promised to talk to their children to support OBA, charging him to remember the women, youths and elders of the area when he gets to the Government House.