Frontline gubernatorial aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), has presented a blueprint to reactivate a 23-year-old abandoned Akwa Agro-allied Venture, which was meant to develop the communities along the Atlantic coastline, with Ikot Abasi serving as one of the major pilots.
From the plan, the affected LGAs, along with Ikot Abasi, will have at least, a processing plant with a capacity to employ an appreciable number of indigenes in the chain arrangements.
Addressing the PDP delegates in Ikot Abasi, today (March 26, 2022) OBA projected that within years, the venture will develop the state, limit dependence on oil products and provide sustainable means of livelihood and wealth creation.
He added that: “Fishing trawlers will be acquired through a public, private arrangement (PPA) joint venture model. Fishes, prawns, and other aquatic animals will be harvested and processed on-site for secondary and tertiary industrial uses”.
OBA encouraged the delegates to ask salient questions, noting that anyone who has not developed people before in a private capacity can never do it as a governor.
He informed the gathering that in the past few years, he has spent over N168m to train over 481 students on scholarship, producing about 28 first class graduates.
His past performances, he said, signal what he will do as a governor with more resources at his disposal.
To the stakeholders, he presented himself to be assessed, stating that Akwa Ibom deserves the best as governor. “I will hit he ground running”, he added.
He charged the people to ask the others for proof, assuring that Akwa Ibom will be safe in his hands as governor.
The Chapter Chairman, Mr Etini Ayara, while welcoming the senator and his team, extolled the sterling qualities of the senator, adding that the people will queue behind him.
Describing OBA as a man of the people with capacity, Ayara thanked the delegates and non- delegates for turning up to receive the senator.
Other speakers, including the Leader of Council, Hon Imo Sam; Mrs Gladys Ukpa, Woman leader of the chapter; Youth leader Richard Ayang and Imo Essien, a former chapter chairman
expressed happiness at the consultation and prayed safe journey to the team.
They said at a time, it was difficult for Ikot Abasi to have a political direction but they used their spiritual eyes to search for a suitable leader, hence decided to support OBA.
They acknowledged that OBA had passed through many administrations and is the most experienced among the lot, assuring also that he will do Ikot Abasi proud.
Hon Uffot Nkangude, a former commissioner, said what Ikot Abasi needs most is a firm foothold in the oil industry and that the only person who can do it is OBA.
According to him, the senator has already started by ensuring that Ikot Abasi is taken care of in the Petroleum Industry Act.
The Youth leader of campaign, Nse Joshua, urged the youths to avoid a “bus” of poverty and enter the “train” of prosperity, growth and increasing.
He told the people that OBA represents youth emancipation, real empowerment, academic excellence, employment and economic growth.
The DG, Pastor Sunny Ibuot, said OBA represents the best and divine direction of the next government.
He said anyone who has never taken care of people will never do it as a governor.
Sir Obot Etukafia, on behalf of PDP stakeholders, said OBA’s antecedents speak for him and commended the senator’s efforts and courage in seeking the governorship.
Governorship, he said, is not about acquiring many certificates but the capacity to actualise positive vision for the benefits of the people.
He noted that Ikot Abasi had always been neglected but expressed the confidence that with OBA’s governorship from 2023, the best will come to his people.
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