The leading governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA, says he has already started discussing with key investors in the oil and gas sector, towards locating virtual gas pipelines in all the local governments of the state.
Additionally, a functional major rice belt, powered by prominent rice producers in Nigeria and abroad, is to be established in the Eastern Ibibio of Akwa Ibom State.
OBA, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), disclosed these while addressing delegates and stakeholders in Ini Local Government, during his consultative visit. He is also a former Senate Chairman on Gas.
The senator pledged to draw from his wide experience and contacts, nationally and internationally, to make Akwa Ibom better, building on the foundations laid by the previous administration.
He said the virtual pipelines will enable Akwa Ibom people access to cheaper gas supply, thereby making life easier for them.
The virtual pipeline, he explained, is a system that allows for natural gas in the form of compressed/liquefied gas, using modules attached to mobile platforms, which are transported by trucks, ferry boats, boats and/or rail platforms. Simply put, it does not require pipelines, which can easily be vandalised.
He told the people that some of his colleagues in the senate, who are major 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. Those 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 produce. 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 said they were blessed, proud and honoured to have OBA as a son of Eastern Ibibio. He pledged their support for the senator.
AVM Akpasak, who also spoke, called for unity among Eastern Ibibio, noting that what separates them are artifice boundaries.
The people then promised to woo more supporters and delegates for the successor Senator Akpan as the next governor.
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