Senator Akpan pledges to make Ini functional rice belt zone, virtual gas pipeline on the table
As consultations by governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom gathers momentum, the frontrunner and clearly the most accepted aspirant, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), has assured the people of Ini local council area in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District that discussions for the sitting of virtual gas pipeline in the area have reached advance stage.
Accordingly, discussions with key investors in the oil and gas sector have already been concluded towards actualizing that, he said.
While addressing delegates, PDP stalwarts, his teeming supporters and followers in Ini local government on Friday during his consultative visit, he assured the people that he would leverage on their capacity in rice production in the state to establish a functional rice belt, powered by prominent rice producers in Nigeria and abroad, in the area.
OBA, who is the Chairman of, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), further pledged to draw from his wide experience and contacts, nationally and internationally, to make Akwa Ibom better, building on the foundations laid by previous administrations.
He said the virtual pipelines will enable Akwa Ibom people to access cheaper gas supply, thereby making life easier for them.
The virtual pipeline he explained, is a system that allows natural gas in the form of compressed/liquefied gas, using modules attached to mobile platforms and to be transported by trucks, ferry boats, and/or rail platforms. Simply put, it does not require pipelines, which could easily be vandalised.
He told Ini people that some of his colleagues in the Senate who are big rice farmers were already on standby to mobilise to ensure Ini becomes a major rice belt for Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
“Most of the well-packaged rice I and some major rice marketers have been patronising have been produced by my friends and colleagues. They are local rice. My colleagues are ready to mobilise to Ini, any time soon. Ini will be a functional rice belt once I become the governor”, he said.
He cited the example of Kebbi State, which does not receive much allocation but thrives on agriculture, particularly rice production. According to him, the same laudable experience will soon be brought to Akwa Ibom State, through him.
On behalf of the stakeholders, Squadron Leader Benson Akpasak rtd., said they were blessed, proud, and honoured to have OBA as a son of Eastern Ibibio. He pledged their support to the Senator.
Others who spoke in turn, called for unity among Eastern Ibibio people, noting that what separates them are mere artificial boundaries.
They promised to woo more supporters and delegates for Senator Akpan whom they say is the next governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2023.
