27th January, 2017
The people of Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom under the aegis of Eket People’s Union have demanded for the establishment of Oil Mineral Producing Communities Development Commission.
The people made the demand on Friday in Uyo, when the President of Ekid Peoples Union, Prof. Asindi Asindi, led members of the union on a solidarity visit to Gov. Udom Emmanuel.
Asindi said that the establishment of the commission would assist in developing oil bearing communities and allow effective application of 13 per cent derivation fund.
Eket Federal Constituency made up of Eket, Esit-Eket, Onna and Ibeno are the host communities of ExxonMobil Corporation and other oil companies.
The union also demanded the reactivation of the moribund Qua River Hotel, the Qua Steel Company and the AkwaPalm Industries, all sited in Eket land.
Asindi suggested that the companies could be refurbished through private public partnership to boost economic activities in the area and create jobs for the unemployed.
The union, who said that it was in support of Gov. Emmanuel for a second term in 2019, commended him for his prudent deployment of scare resources in the state.
“Despite the dwindling resources, the state, under Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s watch has been able to fulfil its statutory obligations to it citizenry,” Asindi said.
He listed achievements of the governor to include prompt payment of salaries, welfare packages to workers and laying of foundation for turnkey development projects across the state.
Asindi prayed God to give the governor the courage, wisdom, robust health and resources to actualise the task of translating the state into the industrial haven of his dream.
In his response, Gov. Emmanuel assured the Ekid People’s Union that there was no going back on his administration’s development blueprints.
Emmanuel promised to make Akwa Ibom an Industrial hub in the Gulf of Guinea.
He thanked the union being the people from his Federal Constituency, for its support and endorsement for his second term come 2019.
Emmanuel urged the elders to advise the youths against vandalism of government and industrial facilities rather they should always seek dialogue in resolving thorny issues.
The governor assured that “most of the requests of the union are awaiting implementation”.
“I urge you to close ranks with other ethnic nationalities in the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District for more development programmes,” Emmanuel advised.