‘My aim is to change the economic status of Akwa Ibom state’_Gov. Udom

Akwa Ibom state governor Mr Udom Emmanuel has said that his commitment and determination at pursuing his cardinal agenda of industrialization was yielding dividends, noting that such would soon change the name of the state from a civil service state to a private sector economy.

The governor noted that the recently approved Ibom Deep Seaport and the proposed $1.4 Billion Fertilizer and Ammonia Plant as industries that would change the economic status of the state.

These assurances are contained in his Easter broadcast to the people of the state yesterday.

Again, he pointed out that with the recent approval and take off of the Federal Government approved Oil and Gas Free Zone and the ongoing construction of the Sterling Petrochemical Plant at Eastern Obolo, the state would be ready to dump its status as a civil service state.

The Governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving those industrial projects in the state adding that the construction work on the Ibom Deep Seaport would commence very soon.

“In the recent past, we have been blessed with life-changing projects such as Sterling Petrochemical Plant in Eastern Obolo, where construction is in an advanced stage.

“A little over two months ago, the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) approved the license for us to commence the construction of our long-desired Ibom Deep Seaport. Work would soon commence on this gigantic project. These are huge achievements for our State and our people.

“Ibom Deep Seaport will open up our economic fortunes; create employment and wealth opportunities for our people and throw open our State as a major maritime hub in our Nation.

“We thank the President and the Commander in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for this kind approval.” He said.

The governor called on all in the state irrespective of political leaning to support the Fertilizer and Ammonia Plant because of its capacity to change the economic fortunes of the state.

“About three weeks ago, we were also blessed by the Invisible Hands of God to have signed a 1.4-billion-dollar Fertilizer and Ammonia plant with our Moroccan counterparts.

“The plant will again create huge employment and other supply chain activities for our people, which will transform us from a civil service-oriented State to a fast industrializing one.

“These are huge achievements that should gladden the hearts of every Akwa Ibomite irrespective of political affiliations”, he said.

He reminded the people of the state that the essence of Easter would be lost if the resurrection of Christ is not allowed to illuminate their souls through love and sacrifice to one another.

“Let the fishermen in the ocean fronts of Mbo, Okobo, Eastern Obolo and Ibeno love one another. Let the farmers in the rice plantations at Ini, Ikono, Ika, Onna and Nsit Ibom love one another.

“Let the civil servants and public servants, politicians in all political parties, members of all denominations, preachers of all faiths, love one another.

“When we let love drive our every action and every thought, when we let it drip from our lips and from our hands, then shall the joy of Easter be complete and our State shall surely attain  the lofty height set for it by our ancestors when they named it Akwa Abasi Ibom State”, he stated.