Quantum Petrochemical Project And Esit Eket Gas Processing Plant: Walk-Way To Industrial Revolution In Akwa Ibom State

By Matts Udoaka

At last the Akwa Ibom State is poised for a clean break from the industrial dearth that has characterized most of the states of the federation. If states have been growing economically, the yearning for true federalism could have received the approval of all the states which have been suffering from the industrial and economic backwardness over the years.

 

President Goodluck Jonathan shaking hands with Gov. Akpabio
during a State Banquet at AKS Banquet Hall in Uyo after commissioning
the Uquo Gas Plan
Economic development is not more than planning and executing strategic national, futuristic projects that would ensure a macro-economic mechanism in a growing population such as ours. Rather, Nigerian federation and her burgeoning states have been antagonizing themselves in the miasma of federation account and derivation war. Our myopic leaders do not take into account, the infrastructural index of their states as a road map for industrial revolution. They enmesh themselves with envious phobia of those who foresee the future and address the decay in their state’s infrastructure. They capitalize in the control of funds meant for the development of their states without minding the result of corruption that does no nation any good.

From the United Nations Global Ascendancy Index (G.A.I), it is no longer a big deal to note that the third world countries are drastically dragging down their progress, and remain abased following their corruption and leadership incompetence. Even though they are desperately anxious to move ahead rapidly, the allied evil of corruption and incompetence do not  allow the evils of wants and ignorance to overcome the resultant effect of corruption. The result becomes the deeply entrenched foes of poverty and lack of growth. Nigerians have to recognize that a man who plans to stand on the moon in a few years time, can surely first order things more reasonably on his own planet.

That becomes the perspective of scheming and  siting of viable and feasible industries like Quantum Petrochemical Project, and Gas Processing Plant in Akwa Ibom State.

The siting of these two projects being petroleum based, would pose no problem of scarcity of raw materials since the region they are sited offers petroleum solution at a finger tip. As it is, the allied projects have become a walk-way for industrial revolution of Akwa Ibom State. The derivatives of the two projects would sustain each other and create ways for other projects to come in.

14 Hours Power Supply in Akwa Ibom State

 By Emmanuel Nicholas

 Adequate supply of reliable electricity power is essential to economic development, and the  Ibom Power Plant (IPP) has the potential to fill this critical need in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. In addition to the economic benefits of constructing and operating the power plant, there are important opportunities for communities and states to establish themselves as key global supply chain elements of components and sub-systems for the many power plants that will end up being built internationally to help meet growing energy needs.

Ibom Power Plant, now working

As evidently noticeable, access to clean modern energy services has constituted an enormous challenge to the African continent because energy is fundamental for socio-economic development and poverty eradication. Today, 60 to 70 per cent of the Nigerian population does not have access to electricity. There is no doubt that the present power crisis afflicting Nigeria will persist unless the government diversifies the energy sources in domestic, commercial and industrial sectors and adopt new available technologies to reduce energy wastages, which will also help to save cost.

Akpabio sacked me for seeking to become Governor in 2015 - Obong Bassey Albert

Promises to Declare Officially Ending of August  2014 if…

The former Finance commissioner Obong Bassey Albert Akpan has said that for showing interest in running for the office of the Governor in 2015 he was shown the way out of Chief Akpabio’s government.

 Obong Bassey Albert, one of the strong contenders in the 2015 governorship race said that so far he has consulted across twenty four local government areas out of thirty one, and would be compelled to declare for the 2015 governorship at the end of his consultation, depending on the will of God and the consent of Akwa Ibom people.

 He made this known during a media interaction with members of the fourth estate of the realm whose role in setting agenda for the society he said he was not oblivious of.

Obong Bassey Albert, Guber Aspirant, AKS

He observed that the media in the state has been very fair to him, and charged journalists to continue to remain objective in their reportage.  Obong Albert recalled how he was framed up at his twilight in the government of Chief Godswill Akpabio as being a proprietor of forty three media houses which he was accused of using to attack the very government he served with diligence, adding that nothing can happen to any person except God approves.

 Obong Albert, popularly addressed as OBA by his campaigners and admirers thanked Governor Akpabio for the opportunity given him to serve Akwa Ibom people as Finance Commissioner, adding that the history of his boss’ administration, if chronicled, would not be complete without his name being mentioned, boasting that for the privilege he had to work with governor Akpabio, he “served him diligently, with commitment and loyalty”.

2015 Succession Battle:The men who want Akpabio’s job, Their Chances and Challenges

By Ekebo Ekanem

Nigeria is once again entangled in the knotty issue of a fast approaching general elections  which time draw nearer by the day. Across the country, politicians and political parties are getting ready to slug it out with one another for the available elected positions that will go for grabs during the 2015 general election.

Chief Godswill Akpabio, AKS Governor

Governor Godswill Akpabio will not be eligible to seek re-election for a third term during the next gubernatorial election in the state. The quest to replace him amongst politicians is already at its peak. In Akwa Ibom State, some of the gubernatorial hopefuls are already out in open in what is fast becoming an interesting rat race to occupy government House in 2015.

Perhaps, the race towards succeeding him is quite crowded. The battle for the Hilltop Mansion in the state is tilted behind the political crisis since the state was created.   The Peoples Democratic Party has remained the ruling party in 1999 with Obong Victor Attah serving two terms as governor before handing over to Gov. Akpabio on May 29th 2007 whose tenure will climax on May 29th 2015.

No fewer than ten aspirants plan to succeed Akpabio. The contenders are warming up for the primaries which may hold in October. Most of the aspirants eyeing the ticket are in the ruling P.D.P. Among the leading contenders in the race are:-

Akpabio sacked me for seeking to become Governor in 2015 - Obong Bassey Albert

Promises to Declare Officially Ending of August if…

 By Ephraim Ikpe

The former Finance commissioner Obong Bassey Albert Akpan has said that for showing interest in running for the office of the Governor in 2015 he was shown the way out of Chief Akpabio’s government.

Obong Bassey Albert, one of the strong contenders in the 2015 governorship race said that so far he has consulted across twenty four local government areas out of thirty one, and would be compelled to declare for the 2015 governorship at the end of his consultation, depending on the will of God and the consent of Akwa Ibom people.

Obong Bassey Albert Akpan

He made this known during a media interaction with members of the fourth estate of the realm whose role in setting agenda for the society he said he was not oblivious of.

He observed that the media in the state has been very fair to him, and charged journalists to continue to remain objective in their reportage.  Obong Albert recalled how he was framed up at his twilight in the government of Chief Godswill Akpabio as being a proprietor of forty three media houses which he was accused of using to attack the very government he served with diligence, adding that nothing can happen to any person except God approves.

Obong Albert, popularly addressed as OBA by his campaigners and admirers thanked Governor Akpabio for the opportunity given him to serve Akwa Ibom people as Finance Commissioner, adding that the history of his boss’ administration, if chronicled, would not be complete without his name being mentioned, boasting that for the privilege he had to work with governor Akpabio, he “served him diligently, with commitment and loyalty”.

Succession Crisis Rocks Akpabio’s Camp? I Have No Hand in Mike Sebastian’s Ambition – Sir Emem Akpabio

I Am Qualified To Join the Race - Mike Sebastian

  

Following rumours making the headlines that Governor Godswill Akpabio is preparing a certain Mike Sebastian from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area to take over from him come 2015; a senior member of the Great Akpabio family, Sir Emem Akpabio has broken the ice and dismissed the insinuation as a complete fluke.

Speaking with journalists in his Port Harcourt residence, Sir Akpabio said that he is unaware of the Governorship ambition of Mr Mike Sebastian. He noted that he has not been consulted or been told by the said Sebastian that he nurses such ambition.

“I am unaware of such an ambition. I read newspapers and follow stories on the social media but I have not stumbled on this one. I was surprised when you asked of my take on this aspiration. I have not been informed or consulted in anyway. To further insinuate that I have a hand in this ambition is a huge joke. We must note that the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State has a big task ahead of him. It requires someone who has the right connection, contacts, intellectual capacity and experience to move the state to an industrialized hub.

“The media should please help us in dismissing these distractive rumours capable of misleading the masses. You know we are in a critical political era, and these rumours are sponsored by aspirants from Uyo Senatorial District who are bent on imposing themselves on the people of Akwa Ibom State against the already established zoning arrangement.

NUJ Chairman's Scorecard One Year After: Utilizing the Media to Unite and Develop the Society

By Patrick Albert

A year ago, precisely on August 1, 2013, my leadership of our Union as the State Chairman was given birth to, through your votes, so massively expressed, at the State’s Triennial Delegates Conference/Elections of officers.

As I said in my post election speech on that glorious day, the outcome of the election was victory for all members of the Union, as there was ‘no victor and no vanquished.’ And symbolic of the dynamism of our Union’s democracy, my predecessor, Comrade Joe Effiong, whom I contested with in that election, as a true democrat, was quick to accept the election results and he congratulated me with a warm embrace.

That memorable scenario and your continuing support and goodwill have kept invigorating my zeal to offer the Union a leadership that is felt and seen positively, anchoring on my missions and visions for the Union as promoted by the Rebirth Group which campaigned for my election.

I recall that at the inaugural State Congress held on Thursday, September 12, 2014 I said as follows: “We have come with great passion; we have come with the best of intention and we have come to awaken our mental resourcefulness to the very dreams that we have had over the years.

“Before us is the charge to go through and bring to fruition in greater dimension the dreams of our past chairmen from the path finding role of Ini Mfon Udo – the caretaker committee chairman to Namnso Umoren – the first elected state chairman and subsequent successors – Etop Williams; Ikpong Essien-Udom; Innocent Okon; Daniel Ekanem; Sunday Antai; Israel Umoh; Ephraim Etti and Joe Effiong respectively.”

As twelve (12) months have rolled by, it is imperative to look back as a measure of reappraisal so as to ensure that the leadership continues to deliver on the mandate. Let me quickly acknowledge the support and cooperation of the members of the State Working Committee (SWC) and State Executive Committee (SEC) as well as you all. I salute you all and solicit continued friendship, comradeship and cooperation.

Elder Patrick Albert, NUJ Chairman, Akwa Ibom State

Clearly, my mission and vision as encapsulated in my manifesto was “To bring all journalists on board to collectively restore the loss glory of our Union and rekindle interest, inspire confidence and love among members. To unite journalists into a family that will gradually become a formidable community in Akwa Ibom State polity; To create opportunities that will enhance the welfare of members and make the Union, a dynamic force to be reckoned with.”

Without equivocation, this promise is being kept. Today, the Union is faring better. The infrastructural renaissance at the Press Centre is obviously seen. We started with the upgrade of facilities/renovation of the existing one-storey building. The State Chairman, State Secretary, Treasurer and other EXCO members now have offices, tastefully furnished. Both the Congress Hall and the Mini Conference Hall have been improved and we have a functional Viewing Centre with two (2) giant Television Plasma Screens. As you know, we were quick to establish a website and an email address to boost our communications and ICT compliance.