Nduese Essien laments lack of visible infrastructure in Eket, urges aspirant to remedy flaw if elected governor in 2023

The political leader of Eket Senatorial District, Chief Nduese Essien has lamented the lack of visible infrastructure in Eket and its environs despite being a major oil-producing community in Akwa Ibom State.

Essien, a former Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development said the area has been an oil-producing community for over 30 years, yet there has been no visible infrastructure commensurate to her contribution to the economy of the state and the nation.

The political leader who made this remark while receiving Senator Bassey Albert Akpan and his campaign organization- Akwa Ubok Abasi, in his country home with some Eket Elders, said the area should be given deserving attention by the state government.

According to him, Eket is lagging behind other senatorial districts in the state and highlighted some areas of concern.

“Before 1999, Eket use to have the best government-owned hotel in Akwa Ibom State, today Eket has no such hotel again.

“We will include this as one of the priority projects for you to revisit – the Qua River Hotel in Eket and convert it to a high rise building so as to equate it with others in the two Senatorial districts. We have high rise building in Uyo, we have a high-rise building in Ikot Ekpene, the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.

“Secondly, the state government has built housing estates in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene but the one in Eket has been abandoned. You will have to consider that as one of the key projects that you have to do for us. Thirdly, Eket and environs have been oil-producing areas of this state for over 30 years but there is no oil-producing infrastructure that you can point at.”

And while advising Senator Akpan to develop oil-producing communities if elected as governor, Chief Essien said “We don’t want to have a government that will distance itself from the oil producing communities.”

Essien, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lauded him for displaying dexterity and competence in public service and particularly commended his pedigree in the Senate.

“You have represented the state well, so far your record is good. I appreciate what you have been doing in the State, you have done very well. I’m aware you have tried to encourage Akwa Ibom sons and daughters who are trying to make inroads into the oil industry. I’m aware of somebody in local content that you helped, he is one of the best,” he added.

Chief Essien also appealed to Senator Akpan as a national legislator and Chairman of, the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to intervene in the proposed sale of assets of Mobil Producing Nigeria.

The move by Mobil, according to the elder statesman, was an attempt to also sell Eket people and those of other oil-producing communities.

Senator Bassey Albert Akpan promised to address the issue of infrastructure deficit by establishing industrial layout, housing estates, and other social amenities to up the standard of living in the area.

“What you desire in the next four years is a man that knows you deeply. You need a governor who knows you by your name and will serve you with the greatest fear of God. I believe strongly that the governor you need is the governor that will secure your future.”

He mentioned some of his contributions to the welfare of the people, especially in the area of education where about 481 students have so far obtained fully funded scholarships worth N168 million under his educational scheme.

He thanked the people of Eket for identifying with him and promised not to fail them if elected governor in 2023.