UYO (Sundiata Post) – The Akwa Ibom State commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Elder Ufot Toby Nkangude has assured that the incoming administration of Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel would replicate the industrial renaissance in other world countries, by using his well established contacts in the global market to attract investments to the state.
In an interview programme in Uyo, Nkangude thanked Chief Godswill Akpabio for laying a solid infrastructural foundation for the smooth take-off of the industrial plan of the incoming government.
He said that Akpabio created the enablers for industrial boom in the state by establishing world class infrastructure such as roads network, the airport, international hospitals, five star hotels, tourism and leisure facilities and free medicare and qualitative education.
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He cited the gas plant in Esit Eket and the methanol plant at Ibeno which were set in motion by Akpabio, as foundations of the impending industrial revolution. “You see he has gone beyond that to create another legacy as the man who is taking over from him is a man with a private sector understanding who is just coming into a familiar terrain and he is going to deliver”, the commissioner said.
Nkangude stressed that Udom is the right man to steer the wheels of leadership of the state as he has the knowledge of the private sector at his finger tips.
He assured Akwa Ibom people that with the massive, gigantic plans of the governor-elect, unemployment would become a thing of the past as all the youths would be gainfully employed either through the special employment intervention programme or the industrialisation programme.
Nkangude explained that the Ibaka deep seaport project would employ thousands of Akwa Ibom people and noted that the seaport project has been approved by the Federal Executive Council and construction would begin immediately.
“The seaport and other support industries will help us generate our own revenue which will enable us to comfortably develop our own economy.
He noted that all world developed economies got to that point through industrialisation and Akwa Ibom is heading towards that.
In his words, “The enablers are already on ground, we needed a man who has the understanding and capacity to attract investors and fast track development.”
The commissioner also spoke about the enthusiasm of his people in Ikot Abasi and noted that his people are very happy with Udom Emmanuel’s plan to revamp Aluminum Smelter Plant at the area and they have pledged to support the incoming governor till the end.
The commerce and industry commissioner maintained that Ikot Abasi since inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999 has always supported PDP and no other political party has produced a public office holder in the area.
With a firm root and structure in place, according to him, Ikot Abasi local government area voted enmasse for Udom Emmanuel and the PDP, irrespective of having four of their sons with interest in the same position.
