by Mfonobong Ukpong
Nigeria's Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo has hailed Governor Udom Emmanuel for his foresight which has culminated in the various investment drive recorded in the state in the past 4 years since he took over the leadership of the state.
Osinbajo who made the remarks, Saturday in ONNA, while inaugurating a 500 ton per day Kings Flour Mill, a Plywood factory, and a Power Sub-station in Ekim, Mkpat-Enin, said Governor Emmanuel and his team are doing excellent work in the state. The country's number two citizen had recalled that on 23rd September, 2017 he had commissioned a Syringe Factory and some other projects initiated by Governor Emmanuel in the state.
"I want to congratulate the Governor of this state and his team for the excellent work you are doing here. I was here in September 23rd, 2017 to commission another very innovative foresight project initiated by Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. Today we are here to celebrate something more interesting, something more foresighted. Akwa Ibom State has provided enabling infrastructure for ease of doing business".
The Vice-President lauded the Governor for creating the enabling environment for investment to thrive in the state through the provision of what he described as 'first class infrastructure including roads, power infrastructure among others.
"I know all investors who come to Nigeria would wish to come to Akwa Ibom, because of the good warmth environment and the people here".
The Flour Mill sited at Mkpok/Okat in ONNA is a public-private partnership investment between Akwa Ibom State and Turkish investors, adjudged to be a major flour miller in Europe. The factory is jointly funded with support from NEXIM Bank and the state, with capacity to provide direct jobs to over a thousand five hundred Akwa Ibomites.
In his speech, Governor Emmanuel who thanked the Vice President for honouring the invitation to unveil the projects, explained that the flour mill and other projects commissioned by the Vice President were in fulfilment of the campaign promises he made to Akwa Ibom people in 2015.
While promising to pursue vigorously, his industrialisation agenda to a logical conclusion, Governor Emmanuel disclosed his resolve to ensure that by the time he leaves office in 2023, Akwa Ibom would have contributed significantly to the nations GDP.
"Your Excellency, this is one of the promises of our campaign. We want people to know that politics had moved from blackmail, propaganda....... We are promoting a lot of agricultural self development. Before we leave office, every food we eat in Akwa Ibom must be eighth percent sourced from here. Our aim is that by the time we leave office, our GDP will be increasing".
Earlier, the Commissioner for Investment, Trade and Investment, Barr. Ukpong Akpabio whose ministry overseas government's investment drive, praised Governor Emmanuel for being resolute in his determination to attract investment to the state. He urged investors to take advantage of the friendly investment climate in the state by partnering the government in industrializing the state. He applauded the host community for embracing the facility in their domain, and advised them to protect the investment.
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of tape by the Vice President at the various project sites.
Among personalities that witnessed the inauguration of the projects include, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Members of the National and State Assembly, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, Members of the State executive council, royal fathers, elders, chieftains of PDP and other parties, members of the host community, women and youth groups, among others
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