The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Excitement as NGO replaces furniture in Rivers school

    It was a day of joy for the students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Oromenike, D-Line Port Harcourt Rivers State. They were remembered by the Casaka Ebenezer Foundation (CEF) which replaced their school furniture.

    Officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Education and other dignitaries watched as the foundation decorated the classrooms and laboratories with 47 long desks and 35 rotating laboratory chairs. The pieces of furniture were constructed on the premises of Casaka located close to the school.

    The Foundation is established to undertake corporate social responsibility initiatives for Casaka Nigeria Company Limited.

    The girls chanted and sang praises of Casaka in appreciation of the gesture.

    The Principal of the school, Mrs. Reginah Oliseh, was also a beneficiary. Her office received a face-lift as new set of furniture were supplies for her office.

    A member of the Board of Trustees of CEF, Gabriel Nkanyimuo, enjoined the students to aspire to great heights. He said the gesture was a demonstration of the NGO’s strategy to provide educational support for children in public schools.

    He added that the intervention was in line with the United Nations sustainable development goals to provide quality education and encourage gender equality around the world.

    Addressing the students, he said: “I challenge you to dream big. The first step is to complete your education, no matter what. Study hard and your dreams will come true.”

    He declared that the Casaka Ebenezer Foundation selected Government Girls’ Secondary School, Oromenike, Port Harcourt, for the donation after a comprehensive environmental evaluation and needs assessment of the challenges faced by the host community.

    Citing the examples of prominent African women such as the award-winning novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nkanyimuo advised the girls to see themselves as “change-agents and growing women who will make a difference in the world.”

    In her remarks, Executive Director, CEF, Mrs. Helen Egbe, listed the focal areas of CEF activities to include community development, education, empowerment, health and research.

    She stated that CEF was ardent in pursuing its vision to change lives for the better and transform society in the long run. Egbe revealed that the NGO had earlier empowered 16 indigent women in various crafts by donating tools for their trade, as well as providing them with mentoring and psycho-social support.

    On his part, Olisa expressed her gratitude to CEF for the furniture. She said members of staff and students of the school were delighted that their school could be singled out for the NGO’s humanitarian gesture.

    She maintained that proper care would be taken to maintain the items donated. She prayed that the NGO would grow in its resolve to spread goodwill to indigent individuals and groups.

  • Ogoni: Environmental pollution persists 23 years after Saro-Wiwa’s, others’ execution

    On Friday, November 10, 1995, nine prominent Ogoni indigenes, including Kenule Saro-Wiwa, were hanged at the Port Harcourt Prisons on the orders of the then Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha over alleged involvement in the murder of four other Ogoni citizens. South-south Bureau Chief, BISI OLANIYI reports that on Saturday, November 10, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), celebrated the 23rd Ogoni Martyrs’ Day in commemoration of the Ogoni fallen heroes who paid the supreme price for the well-being of their people.

    Twenty-three years ago, precisely on Friday, November 10, 1995, Ogoni land in Rivers State lost nine prominent sons to the hangman’s noose. They were Saro-Wiwa, Dr. Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinem, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levura, Daniel Gbokoo, Saturday Doobee and Nordu Eawo.

    They were executed for alleged involvement in the killing of another four Ogoni sons on May 21, 1994. The four Ogoni leaders and prominent Gokana sons who were killed included Chief Edward Kobani, a former commissioner in the Rivers State; Albert Badey, an ex-Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG); Samuel Orage, a former commissioner in River State; and Theophilus Orage, an ex-Secretary of Gokana Council of Chiefs. They were said to have been killed in a mob action at the Gbenemene’s (King’s) Palace Hall at Giokoo in Gokana Local Government Area.

    Alleged to have been part of the killers, on May 21, 1994, the renowned environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa; Ledum Mitee, a lawyer, who later became MOSOP President; Dr. Barinem Kiobel; and 12 other Ogoni sons were arrested by soldiers and charged with having foreknowledge of the Giokoo mob action and the murder of the four prominent Ogoni sons.

    The Ogoni Civil Disturbances Tribunal was set up by Gen. Sani Abacha was inaugurated by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Bello in November 1994, to try the 15 Ogoni men. The trial began in February, 1995. The tribunal was headed by Justice Ibrahim Auta.

    The members of the tribunal, however, found Saro-Wiwa, Dr. Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinem, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levura, Daniel Gbokoo, Saturday Doobee and Nordu Eawo, guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging on October 31, 1995.

    Gen. Abacha confirmed the death sentence on November 8, 1995, while Saro-Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni martyrs were hanged at the Port Harcourt Prisons in the morning of Friday, November 10, 1995.

    That was 23 years ago. To commemorate the death of the Ogoni-Nine, MOSOP organised the 23rd Ogoni Martyrs’ Day on November 10. Those who are indigenous to Ogoni, friends and well-wishers of Ogoni land all over the world gathered at the Atrium Event Centre on Ken Saro-Wiwa (formerly Stadium) Road, Port Harcourt Rivers State in remembrance of the Ogoni-Nine.

    The 23rd Ogoni Martyrs’ Day was attended by the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Victor Giadom; Nigeria’s Ambassador to The Netherlands, Oji Ngofa; the pioneer Secretary-General of MOSOP, Prof. Ben Naanen of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), who chaired the occasion; Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast); and the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Dr. Marvin Dekil.

    Also at the event were a former Deputy Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee; a current member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr. Innocent Barikor; and a governorship aspirant on the platform of APC in Rivers, AkpoBari Celestine; among other eminent personalities.

    The guest speakers Prof. Adefemi Isumonah of the University of Ibadan (UI) and Giwa Bamaiyi, a human rights activist, spoke on “Environmental Injustice, the Energy Conundrum and the Struggle of the Ogoni People: The Challenge of Sustainable Development” and “Minorities at a Crossroads: Confronting Political Inequality in Nigeria” respectively.

    Naanen urged Ogoni people to continue with their non-violent struggle to ensure commensurate development of Ogoni land.

    In his solidarity speech, Giadom, who is also the Deputy National Secretary of the APC and a former Rivers Commissioner for Works during the administration of Rotimi Amaechi, now Transportation Minister stated that there was need for justice for the Ogoni martyrs.

    The Rivers APC deputy governorship candidate, who also stated that he stood by MOSOP in the non-violent struggle, noted that the umbrella organisation of Ogoni people must be independent and be left out of politics, but be interested in the development of Ogoni land and empowerment of the hitherto-neglected people. He also urged Ogoni leaders to always assist Ogoni people.

    Also speaking, Ngofa, who is APC candidate for Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, stated that it was time for Ogoni people to take action and utilise the opportunities given to them by the hanged martyrs. He advised politicians from Ogoni to play collective politics in order to be instruments for community development.

    On his part, Abe stressed that Ogoni people must not continue to cry, but to convert their tears to action, while insisting that Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni activists did not die in vain. He admonished Ogoni people not to ignore politics, in order to get results for their agitations.

    HYPREP’s Project Coordinator stated that the agency was not about sharing money, but to ensure the clean-up/remediation of the polluted Ogoni environment, revealing that the actual clean-up was about to begin.

    He said: “The Ogoni fallen heroes paid the supreme price for the well-being of their people. They left a worthy legacy by laying down their lives for a cause they believed in. What they fought for is gradually coming to fruition, with the setting up of HYPREP, to address the issue of environmental pollution, which was one of the demands of Ogoni people, as presented by Saro-Wiwa to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “As a responsive and responsible leader, committed to correcting the wrongs that the people of the Niger Delta have suffered over the years, President Buhari immediately constituted the Governing Council, the Board of Trustees and the Project Coordination Office to pilot the affairs of a hitherto non-functional HYPREP.”.

    Dekil stated that going forward; HYPREP would need the collaboration of MOSOP and other non-governmental organisations in Ogoni in sensitising the people to the proper conduct before, during and after the clean-up, for the environment to remain clean.

    He urged Ogoni people never to allow themselves to be defrauded by criminal elements who might come to them to ask for money to be employed by HYPREP.

    In his welcome address, President of MOSOP, Chief Legborsi Saro Pyagbara declared that the marginalised Ogoni people in the Niger Delta had given the Federal Government up till November 30 this year to end environmental terrorism in Ogoni land in order to have a sense of belonging.

    He said: “Environmental restoration of our land remains a central plank of the Ogoni struggle and was one of the reasons our heroes laid down their lives. While we appreciate the efforts of the government to end the environmental nightmare in Ogoni, we hasten to add that the slow nature of these efforts are becoming far more frustrating and have the capacity to ignite a new round of conflict in Ogoni land, if nothing is done immediately.

    “Judged against other humanitarian interventions going on in the country, such as the Northeast intervention, in which new houses and infrastructure are springing up on a daily basis, without the noise-making and publicity stunts associated with the Ogoni intervention, we fear that the manacles and vestiges of discrimination for which these heroes laid down their lives are still with us.

    “It is on this note that we want to inform the Nigerian government and HYPREP in particular that anything beyond commencing remediation efforts on the ground in this month of November 2018 will not be accepted by the Ogoni people.”

    Pyagbara also stated that Nigerians had come to a point where they had to restructure or perish; stressing that the Ogoni-Nine died in their quest for a restructured Nigeria, which he said would guarantee equity, justice and fairness.

    MOSOP president also stated that it was essential to clear Saro-Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni martyrs of murder and other allegations levelled against them.

    He said: “The ultimate purpose of the occasion is to remember the lives and times of the Ogoni martyrs. In the same breath, we wish to use this opportunity to remind the Nigerian government to right the wrongs committed against these our fallen heroes. The process of national healing and reconciliation will not be complete until the Nigerian government clears the names of the Ogoni-Nine. The execution of the Ogoni-Nine triggered a firestorm of condemnations across the globe.

    “MOSOP believes that the period of this commemoration provides the government of Nigeria with the opportunity to consummate the process of national healing and reconciliation with the Ogoni people by formally clearing the names of the Ogoni-Nine of these wrongs and establish a national monument in their honour and memory.

    “This is the spirit with which the Nigerian government had engaged with the Yoruba people in recent times. The Nigerian government had awarded the winner of the June 12 presidential election, Bashorun M K.O. Abiola, with the highest honour in Nigeria’s geo-political landscape and declared June 12 as a national public holiday. We appreciate this gesture of the Federal Government.

    “We also appeal that in the same spirit of promoting national healing and reconciliation, the government of Nigeria should extend this gesture to the Ogoni people, by honouring Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other 12 Ogoni martyrs.”

    Pyagbara also condemned the deteriorating security situation in Ogoni land, with many of the communities now occupied by cultists and bandits, thereby making life extremely difficult for other members of the communities.

    He pleaded with Ogoni people who were involved in the show of shame to have a rethink and desist from the nefarious activities for the sake of the heroes being honoured.

    MOSOP President urged the government of Nigeria to put in place more robust security infrastructure in Ogoni land, particularly police stations, policing equipment, vehicles and personnel to provide adequate security in Ogoni land.

    On the resumption of oil production in Ogoni land, Pyagbara said: “In the last one year, we have seen intense pressure to re-enter Ogoni for the ultimate resumption of oil production in our land. While Shell remains persona-non-grata in Ogoni, we have stated repeatedly that Ogoni oil assets cannot be partitioned and allocated like the partitioning of Africa, to any investor without the free, prior and informed consent of Ogoni people, as guaranteed under international human rights law, particularly the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

    “MOSOP vehemently condemns the attempt by the Nigerian government and its oil company

    collaborators to impose another operator on the Ogoni oil bloc, without seeking the free, prior and informed consent of Ogoni people or holding any meaningful consultation with the community.”

    MOSOP president also pleaded with Ogoni communities not to allow themselves to be deceived by any investor, stressing that it was the duty of Ogoni people to learn from their past and find a united platform which would protect their interests collectively.

    Pyagbara stated that what should be clear was that any investment, development or responsible oil exploitation that is people-centred and people-driven would attract the overwhelming support of the Ogoni people.

    The Federal Government should take the clean-up of polluted Ogoni land and empowerment of the people more seriously, thereby placing less emphasis on resumption of oil production in the area, to ensure a lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

  • Cross River indigenes relish financial freedom

    Outside Calabar, the Cross River State capital, shaku shaku dance may not mean anything to market women and small business owners. But on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, Governor Ben Ayade’s enthralling shaku shaku dance steps at the inauguration of the first Cross River Micro- finance bank in the state capital, got some rusted waists cranking as market women shrugged off weariness to dig it out with His Excellency.

    Seeing their workaholic governor, who many indigenes of Cross River State have given various nicknames such as, “Salary Master”, in appreciation of his prompt payment of workers’ salaries; “Mr.Project”, in recognition of the industrialisation policy of his administration, and “Digital” in reference to his modernisation of governance, on the dance floor was the elixir that stirred the women into action. Obviously, nothing could be more stirring than the goodies the Micro- finance bank offers the women.

    It was, therefore, no surprise that “macro-votes and macro-victory for our digital governor” wafted from the crowd, giving the musical displays a blend of soul-stirring rendition of a pledge, chorus and music! Such was the dramatic setting at the inauguration ceremony.

    The facility with a N500 million start-up capital courtesy Governor Ayade, is the first ever state-owned Micro-finance bank in the state and the governor is optimistic that the bank will contribute immensely to the state’s economic growth.

    Paying glowing tribute to women, Governor Ayade urged them to take advantage of the services the bank offers to better their economic lot.

    Licenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Cross River Micro-finance Bank will open offices in every local government in the state. For a state saturated with small-scale businesses whose operators are not equipped enough or qualified to access soft loans from traditional mainstream banks, Cross River, according to industry watchers, is on a sure footing for business growth with the establishment of the Micro-finance bank.

    According to the governor, at the heart of the establishment of the Micro-finance bank is the need for financial inclusion for all indigenes of Cross River State. The bank, he said, is a credible platform for small business owners to be financially stable and independent instead of depending on the government.

    “Our interest is to bring value to humanity, to make people feel the dignity of mankind…this bank is not intended to make money but targeted at helping women, the vulnerable and the physically-challenged; and to encourage them that there is always a banking sector that can provide for them,” he said.

    In order to cater for the economic and business interests of the category of Cross River State indigenes mentioned above, the Cross River Micro-finance Bank is structured to charge zero to five per cent interest on loans as the criteria for loans include ownership of a farm land, being a civil servant and ownership of a market stand.

    Going forward, the over 3,000 members of staff of the state-owned garment factory as well as members of staff of local government across the state are among the immediate beneficiaries of the financial freedom the Cross River Micro-Finance Bank offers as they have been requested to immediately open accounts in the bank to enjoy the benefits of loans.

    “For all young men, as we offer you appointments and create jobs for you in this administration, you will now put food on the table and with hands on the plough as the micro-finance bank will be available to give you loans for you to do that 30,000 hectares of cocoa, to give us over 60,000 hectares of rice farm that we are looking for, or organic bamboo plantation to feed our toothpick factory,” the governor said.

    Boki Local Government Area which lacks an institution or bank will be the first to get a branch of the Cross River Micro-finance Bank. The ground-breaking ceremony for the branch is slated for next month.

    “I promised Boki that I will bring an institution because the area is too big not to have an institution. I hereby implement the promise I made during my campaign,” the governor said, adding that, “it is now left for Boki sons and daughters through the Secretary to the State Government to choose a location where we can set up the micro-finance bank in Boki”.

    Some indigenes of the local government present at the inauguration ceremony could not hide their joy at the prospect of the area hosting a banking institution.

    One of them who identified herself as Catherine, a fashion shop owner, described Ayade as a promise keeper.

    Her words: “Our digital governor is a promise keeper. Here today, he has, again, demonstrated that and given Boki people yet another reason to queue behind him during the governorship election next year. For giving us a micro-finance bank, we will give him macro-votes!”

    Chairman, National Association of Micro-finance Banks in Nigeria, John Owan praised  Prof. Ayade for pioneering a state-owned micro-finance bank:

    “We are happy to have a new baby born into the industry as all micro-finance banks in Cross River State before now were privately-owned. Having seen the state-of-the-art facilities here, I have no doubt that those who patronise this bank will not regret doing so”, he said

    On his part, Cross River State Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Sampson Esua, pointed out that Ayade has made the job of CBN easy as the bank has several packages to offer those who patronise it.

     

    • Ita is Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayade

  • Akwa Ibom: Economic evolution through industrialisation

    Industrialisation is the process by which an economy moves from primarily agrarian production to mass-produced, technologically advanced goods and services. This phase is characterised by exponential leaps in productivity, shifts from rural to urban labour, and increased standards of living.

    By typical measurements, such as income per capita or labour productivity, industrialisation can be considered the most important economic development in human history.

    Economic historian Deirdre McCloskey, writing in the Cambridge University Press in 2004, argued that industrialisation was “certainly the most important event in the history of humanity since the domestication of animals and plants, perhaps the most important since the invention of language.”

    Not all historians agree with the spark that ignited the Industrial Revolution. Most economists point to the changes in legal and cultural foundations in Great Britain that allowed free trade and gave entrepreneurs, the room and incentives to take risks, innovate, and profit.

    Having given a background information of the pivotal role industrialisation plays in any economy, it is pertinent that I bring to fore, the improvements that Governor Emmanuel Udom has brought to Akwa Ibom State.

    Before Emmanuel Udom assumed office on May 29, 2015, Akwa Ibom State was rated as one of the states with the highest income inequality peaking at over 0.54 for the self-employed (predominantly farmers), and 0.44 for the employed-salary paid/wage earners, (UNDP, 2012). Akwa Ibom was also mentioned as the third state with the highest poverty rate of 27.1% within the South-south zone after Cross River State (31.2%) and Bayelsa State (32.5%), (UNDP, 2012) Eugene (2012) and World Bank (2010). National Bureau of Statistics (2011) reported that Akwa Ibom State has the second highest unemployment rate of over 25.8% after Delta State in the South-south zone, but leads other states in the zone in terms of income generating opportunities. Adebayo (2002) and Batchelder (2010) showed that income volatility exists in some rural and urban areas.

    Akwa Ibom State was also classified as a predominantly civil service state with the government being the major engine of growth.

    The main economic activities of the people are fishing (for riverside and coastal dwellers), farming (mostly for upland dwellers), trading, artisanship and white-collar services.

    The robust public sector employed a significant proportion of the state’s labour force, and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$11,179m pre-Udom era.

    Thus, the task before Emmanuel Udom was beyond words but to design an economic framework that would positively turn around the realities of the state for growth through a well-structured industrialisation drive spread across all major sectors of the state’s economy. He made the promise on his inauguration when, in his speech, he said: “I have plans to transform the economy of our state through industrialisation and sustained public-private sector initiative, thereby opening up opportunities for growth and improved living standards”.

    To get by with his commitment, he ensured the provision of the much-needed legal protections against political and regulatory risks through the state House of Assembly for investors and placed premium importance on peace and security; to keep investors’ confidence high in the state as safe for investment.

    In discussing industrialisation in Akwa Ibom State, there are identifiable projects executed or ongoing towards the much-talked about industrial revolution. There are some projects completed and operational; some are ongoing while some were refurbished/resuscitated and now operational.

    The Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Factory, Syringe Manufacturing Factory (Largest in Africa), and Pencil Factory and Toothpick Factory are examples of projects under the industrialisation agenda which have been completed and are operating at optimal capacities.

    It is worthy of note that the syringe company has the capacity to produce a billion a year. While the Electric Digital Metering Solutions Manufacturing Factory will ensure electricity companies bill Nigerians accurately. Recently, the Port Harcourt Power Holding Electricity Distribution (PHED) and some others in the Niger Delta region ordered over one million meters from the company.

    The Flour Mills and Coconut Refinery, Ibom Deep Seaport, Ibom Industrial Park/Jetty, Plastic Manufacturing Factory and Fertiliser Blending Factory, and construction of 33 Cassava Micro-processing mills are all ongoing projects in the economic diversification agenda of the Governor.

    Lastly, the resuscitation of Peacock Paint Industry and refurbishing of Cassava Processing Factories located at Ikot Okudom, Eket Local Government Area; Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo/Asutan Local Government Area and Ikot Ekang in Abak Local Government Area which was leased to private operators for the production of high quality garri, odourless foofoo and cassava flour are examples of revived factories which were once in a comatose state and made operational.

    The expected impact of the industrialisation embarked upon by Emmanuel Udom is evident in every projected and present economic variable.

    The National Bureau of Statistics has listed Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as the most investors-friendly destinations in the country in the first quarter of last year.

    The report also revealed that while Akwa Ibom, which is a major tourism hub of the country, attracted $18.361m capital importation. The bureau noted that this year’s record showed a 27.75 per cent improvement over the country’s achievements of previous years.

    Akwa Ibom State is currently experiencing rapid economic transformation, much faster than the Nigerian average. The quality of life index has grown to more than 300% in only almost years.

    Under the period in review, Akwa Ibom State has transformed into a capital-intensive economy rather than a labour-intensive one, as well as a knowledge-driven economy for global competiveness while becoming Nigeria’s third wealthiest state out of 36 in GDP– estimated at N 6,157 billion annually (approx. USD$31bn) and a GDP per capita well above national average at US$ 6,120 per head.

    The people of Akwa Ibom State should start celebrating as they have a very huge return of investment. It is evident in the day-to-activities of Government and the people of Akwa Ibom, as it is impactful on the lives of every citizen.

    Also improved are economies of scale built around these industries, all of which put money in the hands of the people.

    It must also be said that while people of Akwa Ibom State may not comprehend the significance of Emmanuel’s industrial revolution mission fully, in years to come, these companies which are mostly start-ups today, in relation to their size and capacity, would grow into conglomerates, especially when you put into consideration the wisdom to float the companies as public-private-partnerships (PPP).

    This is the model that brought about Chaebols and the Zaibatsus from family start-ups into global reckoning as conglomerates in what is today regarded as the Asian industrialisation.

     

    • Otu is an Abuja-based civil servant

  • ‘How to end building collapse in Niger Delta’

    In the crude oil and gas-rich Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria buildings still collapse.

    Experts insist that with the right mix of cement with other components to produce standard vibrated blocks and concrete; the use of high quality cement and other building materials, an end to the ugly phenomenon will be realised. They also maintain that the menace has led to the loss of lives of many innocent persons and property worth billions of naira lost.

    While speaking at the third BUA Cement’s workshop for stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State penultimate week, the Regional Coordinator, South-south of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Alhaji Abubakar Babaji, stated that it would be impossible to talk about quality, without considering standards. He urged the stakeholders to always place emphasis on training and retraining.

    The workshop, which was aimed at reducing building collapse in the country, had as its theme “Optimising Cement Usage to Achieve Better Quality and Yields of Block,” and was organised in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and SON.

    Some top officials of Obu Cement Company Limited, makers of BUA Cement attended the workshop from the Okpella, Edo State base.

    Present at the event were Area Manager/Deputy Director, ITF, Port Harcourt, Iwunze Amaka; General Manager, Sales and Marketing, BUA Cement, Nasiru Ladan; Quality Control Manager, BUA Cement, Adeyinka Adesola; Terminal Manager, BUA Ports and Terminals, Rasheed Ogunade and Regional Manager, BUA Cement, Abiola Akarolo.

    At the end of the workshop, blocks and concrete makers were presented with BUA Cement’s branded working equipment.

    Alhaji Babaji said: “Block is not the only component of building. We also have iron rods, cement and water, among others. Water for construction and block making must be clean, just like the drinking water. If you use salty water, it may cause problems. Not only blocks are responsible for collapse of buildings, but they contribute. Standard is about minimum requirement. Block makers must always follow the standard.

    “SON encourages businesses to grow by reducing charges to industries. This is because we want to encourage them to work, since we are not after revenue. We want to serve the nation by ensuring that standards are maintained. We place more emphasis on sensitisation/correction than clamping down on individuals or organisations that refuse to adhere to standards. We do not like to destroy products, but we do not compromise on adherence to standards.”

    Babaji also admonished Nigerians to always engage professionals in construction works and never to patronise quacks to avoid building collapse, stressing that vibrated blocks are much better that hand-made ones.

    Also speaking, SON’s Head of Civil and Building Construction Department, Mrs. Edith Fiberesima advised that blocks should not be moulded at the mercy of the sun, but under shade, with water to be sprayed on moulded blocks the next morning, in order to harden properly.

    While speaking at the workshop, Ladan pledged the commitment of BUA in producing high quality cement, which he said would help to achieve better quality of blocks and other products.

    He said: “Port Harcourt has always been our home. We began from here and we became popular, strictly because of the quality of BUA Cement. It is one thing to have good cement; it is another to mix it properly in combination with other materials.

    “With the issue of building collapse in Nigeria, various researches show that it is as a result of either not using the right cement or bad mix. So, we are here to let the block makers know the right mix of cement with the right materials to produce the highest quality blocks for public use. When good blocks and concrete are produced, the issue of building collapse would have been properly addressed.

    “Currently, we are at the verge of completing our second line in Okpella, Edo State. With the second line operational, you are assured that there will be increase in cement production and supply to Rivers State and other neighbouring states, to satisfy the demands of the people.”

    Ladan also described BUA Cement as the king of strength/the king of cement, which according to him, sets faster with unsurpassed yield.

    Ladan noted that regular workshops and interactions were not only with the block makers, but distributors and retailers of BUA Cement also benefiting. This, he said, is to ensure adherence to standard and quality. He described competition as the beauty of any business, with open market to benefit all the stakeholders, while the producers of cement would always give the best to the end users in terms of quality, price and distribution. He added: “The more competition you have, the better for the general public and the economy.”

    The general manager also identified electricity and transportation as major challenges facing the cement industry. He, however, maintained that the quality of BUA Cement is exceptional.

    Also speaking, the Quality Control Manager of BUA Cement, Adesola, revealed that the unique selling point of BUA Cement is its quality. He warned that the sand for block making must not be clay, dirty and should not have organic matter; clean water should also be used, adding that if hollowed block is too thin, it might lead to building collapse. He recommended standard moulds.

    Area Manager of ITF noted that the agency was established in 1971 by the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon to train Nigerians in order to be able to take over the mantle of leadership, particularly for capacity building.

    Amaka also urged Nigerian leaders to always follow their words with actions, even as she called on the people to embrace change, since the world is now a global village.

    The Head of Accounts of ITF, Kennedy Odisika, called on Nigerians to always insist on high quality, saying: “The first enemy of your business is your lifestyle. If you are not disciplined, nothing works. You must have passion for your business. Consider your attitude to your customers. No worker is too bad that you cannot manage.”

    A seller of cement/block maker, Mr. Christopher Okoro, said BUA Cement is the best as he has used it for many years.

    Another block maker, Mrs. Blessing Eke, described the event as rewarding, even as she suggested that it should be held regularly.

  • Mechanics of Yenagoa revives reading culture in Bayelsa

    More people are embracing the reading culture in Bayelsa State. The hitherto-fading culture has been brought back by a former state Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Michael Afenfia.

    Afenfia is using the Mechanics of Yenagoa to bring back the culture of reading. Mechanics of Yenagoa is an online series on places, culture and people of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital. The seasonal fiction expounds the happenings in the capital city, using a versatile character, Ebinimi.

    The author deploys modern communication technologies and the new media to tell his stories. Realising that the internet has been blamed for the fading reading culture, Afenfia compels readership through the internet. He publishes his series online and gets it delivered to people in various social media.

    Through the strategy, the readership and followership of the Mechanics of Yenagoa has tremendously increased globally. Recently, young creative writers gathered in Yenagoa to read some series of the online publication. It was an event that attracted many young minds, who curiously wanted to behold the face behind the interesting episodes of Ebinimi adventures in Yenagoa.

    Those who gathered at an event Centre in Yenagoa were captivated as an ace broadcaster; Lishman read some of the stories sonorously through his smartphone. The reading evoked mixed feelings on the listeners, who sometimes laughed, grinned and smiled at the follies and ambitions of Ebinimi, the protagonist. It afforded the listeners opportunities to reflect on the significance of some places in Yenagoa.

    The entire reading period was made lively by a comedian, MC. Inyanga, who intermittently punctured the process, to bring the issues in the story home. Afenfia further answered questions from the people. “How does he find time to write despite his busy schedules as a speech writer to Governor Seriake Dickson?” they queried.

    “I don’t know how l do it. I take advantage of my morning hours. Those who clean offices in Government House usually meet me in the office because I resume very early. Even when waiting for a meeting to begin, I use the opportunity to write”, he said.

    Afenfia gave his audience cherry news. “The Mechanics of Yenagoa has attracted wide readership. It has won the interest of the African Magic. Very soon, Ebinimi will be translated into a real character to be watched on television by people”, he said.

    Recalling the first episode of the series, he said: “The first episode was about this time last year. It is amazing how the followership has grown. We have people reading from all over the world. We have feedback from the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Malaysia, Lagos and Abuja among others. People just wanted to read each episode. It has grown beyond my imagination.

    “The interest and the feedback have been very encouraging. That was why when we ended season one in September this year, l thought we could take a long break and start season two by January, 2019 but people kept calling that they could not afford to wait for such a long time. We had to premier season two.

    “People are impressed by the novelty of seeing the story unfold before their eyes and seeing the character, Ebinimi developing week after week. Also the fact that they can make suggestions and give their feedback even as the story unfolds and then they see those feedbacks being implemented, have also kept the story alive.

    “Most of the stories we get here are about Lagos, Abuja or places people are familiar with. There is novelty about the Yenagoa story, a story from a part of a country that such stories don’t usually come from.

    “So, it is almost as if people are in Yenagoa and they can begin to live their Yenagoa experience even though they are not in Yenagoa. Bayelsa has produced many great writers who have placed the state in the map of creativity. But this has cemented the position in the map. There is still that relevance. Yenagoa is still relevant and mentioned in this format every week”.

    In each episode, Afenfia said he tried to incorporate developmental projects executed by Dickson, especially for people reading from outside the state. He said people living outside Yenagoa could read about some places such as Kpansia, the new airport and the diagnostic centre.

    He added: “It is written in a way that doesn’t come across as government propaganda. But they can just see it gradually being impressed on their mind that Yenagoa is really changing. There is also the aspect about the new Bayelsa. The governor keeps talking about building a new Bayelsa.

    “The reading is an opportunity to see the new Bayelsa; a new Bayelsa where young creative writers and even older ones can come together like this and discuss, have a conversation about how to move the state forward, and to have a conversation about the art.

    “They could have been gathered anywhere else doing other nefarious things but they are here today. It has helped to change the narrative about the perception people have about the state”.

    Harping on the reading culture, Afenfia said: “This event also helps in boosting the reading culture. There is much complaints that the reading culture is dying. The internet has taken the place of what used to be books.

    “But not forgetting these platforms, we have been able to take advantage of modern technology. So, even from your smartphones, you can catch up, read up the Mechanics of Yenagoa. So, we are sustaining that reading culture taking advantage of modern technology. You can go to the link, read the story and get educated and entertained.

    “Clearly, this is like a counter-narrative because it is possible there is a place where such narrative on insecurity is going on. There is this other part of town where young people are not afraid; they are gathered and they are having intelligent discussions about the future of Bayelsa and they are doing things to put the state on the map of creativity. This part of Bayelsa exists and we want people to know that this part of the state exists. Indeed, this is the new Bayelsa”.

  • OML 30: IYC warns firm to hands off surveillance contract

    The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has warmed the oil and gas security service provider, Ocean Marine Solution Limited, to hands off the OML 30 assets as its involvement is seen as a discomfort to the people of the area.

    The council, in a statement signed by its National Legal Adviser, Igbeta Ayebakuro  and National Spokesman, Daniel Dasimaka, objected to the methods allegedly being employed by the company to make its way into the OML 30 communities.

    It would be recalled that hundreds of youths and ex-agitators from the 111 communities of OML 30 had last week stormed the Delta state capital Asaba, in protest of what they described as an attempt to hijack a pipeline surveillance contract thousands of youths in the communities live on by Ocean Marine, appealing to the state government to come to their aid.

    However, some groups, who were believed to have been prompted by the company, came out to discredit and disown the protesting youths, insinuating that they had no right to reject the advances of Ocean Marine.

    While addressing the protesters during the Asaba protest, the Delta state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Mrakpor, affirmed that the agreement between the operator; Heritage Energy Oil Services Limited (HEOSL) and the host communities is that pipeline surveillance job would be solely reserved for Delta people only.

    However, the IYC, reacting to the development noted that the it had been fed with inaccurate details of the developments surrounding the contract and noted that the company’s role in the whole drama had been that of an oppressor, working to deprive the weak of its possession, warning that it would never allow itself to be used to oppression fellow Niger Delta people.

    IYC had earlier been consulted to join in denouncing the protesters as not representing the region.

    The statement reads: “The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide (being the champion of self-sufficiency of the peoples of the Niger Delta) will not be party to any agenda aimed at undoing our people and conning them out of the opportunities and natural advantage that accrue them.

    “The statement that came out of the council in the last two days, on the choice of some group of youths and former agitators from communities that fall within OML 30, who had embarked on a protest taking their plea to the Delta state government over their fears of being displaced and deprived of their legitimately guaranteed daily bread, by forces they consider to be using all means, including unlawful and brutal means, was not issued with an intent to support injustice against our own.

    “Though, as we earlier noted, Ocean Marine and its owner, Captain Hosa Okunbo, are also from Niger Delta and we do not believe they should be discriminated in any form, but we must state, unequivocally, that the initial information provided by Ocean Marine and its drivers was less than truthful and we are of the view that inadequate information was provided to mislead the council.

    “To this end, it is the opinion of the IYC that no genuine Niger Delta person or group should do anything to hurt the interest of the people of the region and in this instance, the hard-working youths and ex-agitators from the OML 30 communities in Delta state. This message is directed to Ocean Marine and its management to back off from using the current unwholesome and illegal methods they are employing to forcefully seize the pipeline security job from the current operators. We will not be used to validate oppression of our brothers.”

    http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/iyc-to-dss-chief-beware-of-politicians/

  • Group vows to tackle child abuse

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Era Gate Foundation, has vowed to eradicate child abuse in Nigeria.

    Its founder, Mrs Rudy Atie, who made this disclosure this at a press briefing in Asaba-Delta State said the NGO is dedicated to the memory of the teen, Elizabeth Ochanya, who died from complications following repeated rape by father and son in Benue State.

    She said the formal launch of the NGO will be flagged off at the weekend in Benin-City, Edo State.

    According to her, the NGO has recorded several laudable achievements since it was created last year.

    She said: “The journey unofficially started last year, in little group discussion, one-on-one talk with kids, church visitations and videos on social media. I never knew how huge this was, until I started getting feedback from abused children, then I knew that what I was venturing into was no child’s play.

    Continuing, she said:“Each time I hear that a child has been abused, I feel I have failed and have let one child down. After making my reach on steps to make this task official, I went on with the first stage of registering the NGO last month”.

    She said the theme of the launch is “SAY NO and SPEAK OUT.”

    According to her, the theme is aimed at advocating zero tolerance for child abuse in the country.

    Mrs Atie said the NGO was created with the aim of supporting the abused child and preventing abuse, through creating awareness, defending and rehabilitation, by being their voice”.

    She also urged the Federal Government to ensure that justice was done for late Elizabeth Ochanya, adding that there should be proactive measures on the part of governments and relevant agencies to forestall such abusive tendencies.

     

  • Amnesty Office steps up peace moves in Niger Delta

    The Presidential Amnesty Office is stepping up efforts to maintain peace in the Niger Delta. It held an enterpreneurial conference to equip beneficiaries with skills to better their lot, writes Southsouth Bureau Chief BISI OLANIYI

    The administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, in 2009, initiated the amnesty offer for repentant Niger Delta militants, which was backed by the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan and still being supported by President Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.

    Most of the former “Generals” and their “boys” embraced the amnesty offer and surrendered large quantities of arms, other dangerous weapons, ammunition, high-capacity speed boats, dynamites/bombs, gunboats and bullet-proof vests, among others.

    The leader of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who is a former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), and many of his warlords, however, declined to accept the amnesty offer, insisting that they were not criminals, but freedom fighters, who wanted commensurate development in the crude oil and gas-rich Niger Delta region and empowerment of the people.

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), as part of its efforts to empower and showcase the beneficiaries of the amnesty initiative, decided to organise three-day entrepreneurial conference and fair between November 7 and 9, the first of its kind in PAP, at the highbrow Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

    The entrepreneurial fair, with theme: “Entrepreneurial Revolution: Key to Sustainable Peace in Niger Delta,” was organised in partnership with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and other partners, as part of PAP’s empowerment strategies to showcase its successful entrepreneurs to the business community.

    The Post-Training and Engagement (PTE) Unit of PAP has so far empowered over four thousand delegates/ex-militants, of which sample of 50 delegates were invited to the fair, described as the first phase, in many other planned entrepreneurship fairs for the delegates, while the beneficiaries had earlier been presented with starter packs to support them in their freely-chosen endeavours.

    One of the beneficiaries of the entrepreneurship fair, Lawrence Enoch, from Bonny Island in Rivers State, who is into fashion designing, thanked PAP for empowering the youths of Niger Delta, disclosing that he had a success story to tell and currently having two branches, with ten other youths already trained by him, while assisting four other persons, whose parents he did not know.

    Another beneficiary, Gabriel Amadi, an Ikwerre man, also from Rivers State, described himself as a successful fish farmer, through the PAP, while revealing that he started with 1,000 fingerlings in two tanks, but now an appreciative owner of 15,000 fishes in ten tanks.

    Amadi admonished the beneficiaries of PAP to be very serious and better their lives through the assistance from the Federal Government, while warning the delegates not to sell the equipment and other items given to them by PAP, stressing that if they did their jobs well, they would earn more than the N65,000 monthly stipend to each ex-militant from PAP.

    The fourth Coordinator of PAP, Prof. Charles Dokubo, who was appointed in March this year, also stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the development of the Niger Delta and empowerment of the people, especially the youths.

    Dokubo, earlier in his opening remarks, disclosed that the entrepreneurial fair was for delegates empowered in different trade areas, with operational businesses in the Niger Delta.

    He noted that the fair was to showcase goods and services achieved in the private sector through Small and Medium-scaled Enterprises (SMEs) of the PAP delegates, stressing that the fair would improve the businesses of the delegates by providing links for business expansion, with less dependency on the young entrepreneurs fighting for self-elevation into the market all alone, but to give them a formal support that explore potential partners in the business world, for them to seek business opportunities and collaboration.

    The coordinator of PAP said: “With my arrival at the PAP, I felt it very vital to improve on the empowerment project of the office, by initiating the need to showcase the young entrepreneurs of the PAP, through the fair.

    “The value-chain effects of the fair will serve as a motivator to other delegates in taking their businesses seriously. When the businesses are booming, it will offer opportunities for expansion, thus contributing to job creation and wealth generation, which is in line with my vision at the PAP.”

    Dokubo also hailed the continual support of President Buhari to not only the PAP, but also to the good people of the Niger Delta and the overall rural industrialisation policy of his administration, stating that the people of the region were grateful for the President’s unalloyed support for the Niger Delta.

    He also lauded the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, for immense support he had personally given to the affairs, development and stability of the Niger Delta, assuring that PAP would do all it could to bring peace and stability to the region.

    The coordinator commended the entrepreneurs, who against all odds, resolved to actualise the goal of the PAP, while fighting through the challenges in business start-up and were able to be showcased, pointing out that the fair was just a stepping stone to greater heights.

    The governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, in his address, also described the people of the crude oil and gas-rich Niger Delta as peace-loving, hardworking and not lazy, as being insinuated by some persons.

    He noted that the Niger Delta, consisting of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia and Imo States, have potential to transform Nigeria, while urging other Nigerians and people all over the world to disregard the negative narratives about the region.

    Wike, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Amnesty, Ken Chinda, said: “The youths of the Niger Delta are energetic and industrious. My administration will continue to support the youths. N2 billion was recently released to empower Rivers youths. N200 million is also being made available monthly to support SMEs.”

    Rivers governor also assured that his government would always support the PAP, while describing Rivers state as very peaceful and investors’ friendly.

    In his keynote address, the President of PHCCIMA, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, noted that the starting point would be the show of strong political will on the part of the government to develop the Niger Delta, while adopting the carrot-and-stick approach to tame the security challenges.

    Membere-Otaji, who was represented by PHCCIMA’s elected council member, Mrs. Edughom Hanson, said it was pertinent that the government put into action, the call by the Vice-President that oil companies relocate their headquarters to their areas of operation in the Niger Delta, making them to in tandem with the various governments, develop the region.

    He said: “It will be necessary to reorientate and train the people of the Niger Delta, especially the youths and community leaders, to discard the rent-seeking and entitlement mentality, about dignity of labour and to stop being hostile to any form of business activities in their localities, more so private ones that are not related in any way or form to the acquired oilfields.

    “Most of the key oil producing Niger Delta states are coastal, but with moribund seaports, which are in different stages of infrastructural decay, with un-dredged channels, resulting in importers and exporters doing businesses in these areas using the Western ports in Lagos for their cargo. The socioeconomic effects of ports and shipping revival in the Niger Delta cannot be overemphasised. Singapore is today a first world economy by being just a shipping hub.

    “To encourage shipping companies to use the eastern ports, government should commence reduction in its ports and pilotage charges to make up for the extra operational costs of the companies, occasioned by increased piracy and infrastructural deficit.”

    The president of PHCCIMA also stated that with the long stretch of coastline, rivers and creeks in the Niger Delta, industrial and commercial artisanal fishing should be supported.

    Membere-Otaji implored all stakeholders, including the oil companies, federal government, and the various states and local governments to develop and fast-track the general ease of doing business, including the provision of adequate power, security and infrastructure, among others, in the Niger Delta.

    Rivers Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Nancy Chidi-Nwankwo, in her goodwill message, disclosed that the state government was always willing to partner the PAP.

    Chidi-Nwankwo, who was represented by the ministry’s SME Director, Mr. Joseph Akara, described Rivers as business friendly with beautiful opportunities, in view of the state governor’s commitment and giant strides in infrastructural development, while urging the youths to always believe in themselves, adding that with knowledge and open hands, they would succeed.

    Chairman, Rivers House of Assembly Committee on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Enemi Alabo-George, a former banker, in his remarks, urged Niger Deltans to always go in the direction of wealth creation, stressing that job creation was not sufficient and urged the youths to adequately equip themselves for tomorrow, adding that it takes painstaking dedication to succeed in life.

    On the second day of the entrepreneurial fair, one of the resource persons, Mr. Uche Onochie, who is the President of Marketplace Apostles, said: “Pride and anger do not go with making money.”

    While also speaking, Chika Chinwo of PHCCIMA, urged the beneficiaries to place emphasis on excellence, hard work and further self-development, while declaring that youth restiveness, militancy and free money would not help the people of the Niger Delta.

    Three resource persons: Emmanuel Echewisi, a retired General Manager, Marketing and Sales of Michelin Nigeria Limited; Mrs. Adesuwa Kagho, the Southsouth Zonal Manager of Bank of Agriculture; and Harrison Osauwagboe, the Deputy Manager, Rivers State Office of Bank of Industry; addressed the delegates on the third day of the fair.

    Echewisi, who spoke on customer care/service, stated that if customer care fails, the business is bound to fail, describing customer care as the soul of every business, thereby producing satisfied customers, who would definitely become ambassadors of the products or services, with more money to be made, leading to retention of customers, for the business not to die, while adding that unhappy customers are like lost opportunities.

    Kagho, in her presentation, urged the beneficiaries to start small and grow the business with patience, endurance, perseverance, commitment and hard work, while telling them not to be afraid of making mistakes, but to learn from them and grow.

    Osauwagboe, a young man, urged the entrepreneurs that while starting small, they should also start in phases, know what they are doing and have basic knowledge of the business, admonishing them to always package their businesses well and continue to improve their quality.

    With Niger Delta youths taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the PAP, they will no longer be involved in violence, thuggery, cultism, militancy, sea piracy and other criminal activities, but to become useful members of the society.

     

  • Networking Akwa Ibom to greatness

    Urbanisation is widely acknowledged to be an engine of growth if efficiently implemented through attention and sound policies. Only few countries become high income earners without high levels of urbanisation as more than half of the world’s population lives in cities and by 2030, it is estimated that two-thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised.

    Urbanisation is generally associated with higher income and productivity. In fact, it can be an important driver of productivity increase and growth.

    Urban areas offer positive agglomeration effects including larger and more efficient labor markets, lower transaction costs, and easier knowledge spillovers. They also provide easier access to markets, and links with the global economy.

    In a bid to achieve optimisation of the urbanisation project, the Emmanuel Udom administration in Akwa Ibom State has embarked on massive infrastructural development across the state with emphasis on rural areas to achieve this set goal. There is an ongoing improvement in the road network, establishment of factories and projects in the rural areas and provision of social amenities as well.

    As we speak, there are over 300 rural development projects across 31 Local Government Areas of the state. There are also over 400 inter-ministerial rural intervention projects which include; an ongoing rehabilitation and construction of over 500km of rural feeder roads.

    In Uruan Local Government Areas, the following projects were executed in tandem with the urbanisation drive. There was a construction of 19.317km Anua – Mbak – Ishiet Road, Construction of 8.5km Nduetong Oku Ibiaku Uruan-Ekritam Road and Spur in Itu/Uruan LGAs under the Alternative Project Funding. Other projects under this scheme (Alternative Project Funding Approach), more projects like the construction of 9.0km Mbiaya Uruan – Ita – Ikpa – Mbiakong Uruan road with 60m Span Bridge, Construction of 4.0km Mbiatok Ekritam – Mbiaya Uruan Road with Spur, Renovation of Ituk Mbang General Hospital, Vegetable Green House, Akwa Prime Hatchery and ongoing construction of Cattle ranch were also executed in the same local government.

    Some Inter-ministerial projects include the construction of Assembly Hall at Methodist P/S Adadia,  four classroom block at Methodist P/S Adadia, three classroom block at Ekpene Ibia. Others are renovation of four classroom block at Ekpene Ibia, renovation of Assembly Hall at AME Zion School Ndon Ebom, renovation of three classroom at AME Zion School Ndon Ebom, renovation of Civic Centre at Ekim Enen, renovation of four classroom block at Ikpa Uruan, Electrification at Ikot Inyang Esuk and supply  of 220 No CBT Desk.

    At Nsit Atai Local Government Area, projects like construction of 6.0km Idiaba – Nda Nsit – Ikot Abasi (Nung Udoe) road in Nsit Atai, renovation of four classroom block at P/S Essien Itiaba/ Ikot Asua and Renovation/ Extension of Assembly Hall at Secondary School, Ikot Akpan Ike among others.

    While trying to open up the rural areas to development, there is an increased acreage of cultivated land growing by over 40,000 hectares comprising of 11,000 hectares earmarked on, for an ongoing coconut plantation, 24,000 hectares for new rice projects including two rice mills, 3,000 hectares of cassava plantations with rehabilitated processing facilities for garri, cassava pellets, flour, and ethanol, and the rehabilitation of competitive oil palm and cocoa estates. This will also see to Akwa Ibom’s position as a leading food producer and exporter in Nigeria, assured.

    In furtherance of this agenda till date, over 20,000 hectares of land have been cleared providing businesses and economic activity for equipment owners, farmers, input producers and direct/indirect jobs for households within rural areas of the state and beyond.

    One great indicator in the assessment of the success of the urbanisation of rural areas is the industrialisation policy of Akwa Ibom State. This is a clear merit and highly progressive departure from an epoch of oil revenue dependency and federal allocations. The governor placed premium importance of power on this quest by securing additional licensing for the state-owned power company, increasing capacity from 190MW to 685MW, unlocking distribution via massive investment in substations and feeder lines, and installing a network of new power infrastructure around the state, also enabling parts of the state capital with 15-18 hours of power per day. This alone transformed an average rural settlement into an urban centre.

    Dedicated lines and infrastructure have targeted special projects such as the airport, the Ibom Specialty Hospital and the industrial clusters in Onna, Uyo and Itu.

    In the quest to achieving urbanisation through industrialisation, both road and power infrastructure were being addressed as the state government has pursued the first phase of its ambitious industrialisation agenda by delivering an Electric Digital Metering Plant providing metering solutions that unbundle the legitimate concerns of investors, namely tracking power tariffs.

    The state is also proud of its strategic investment in syringe manufacturing with capacity large enough to cater to Africa’s 2.4 billion-strong demand for syringes by producing 350 million units with capacity to upscale to 1 billion, adequate to cater for both local and international markets.

    The state has also increased progress in a proposed flour mill within the Onna Industrial Cluster. Hundreds of Akwa Ibom daughters and sons have been trained abroad to take up various technical and managerial aspects of these investments as part of the 350-strong human-power needs of the cluster.

    As part of the overall vision, companies like the Peacock Paints Factory in Etinan have received fresh funding and rehabilitation, several state-owned enterprises and assets have become prized possession of new investors who’ve encouraged that resources be assigned to business development from the state’s investment structure.

    The recent establishment of the Itu Cluster which houses the Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES) has promoted the creation and opening of a state-of-the-arts toothpick factory, pencil production and particle wood processing facility as well as bamboo conversion facilities increasing economic impact with 200 new, direct jobs and 400 to 500 indirect jobs, and creating foreign exchange opportunities with these products as exports.

    Several Memoranda of Understanding and Expression of Interests are in place at the moment as the state continues to be the second highest destination for Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria, and prospects for growth in the Small and Medium Enterprises sector look promising.

    With this urbanisation drive of the Emmanuel Udom’s administration, almost 65 per cent of the approximated five million indigenes and residents of the state have been pulled out of poverty, there has also been a quantum leap in the life expectancy age of an average Akwa Ibomite, increase in the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of the state and above all, a massive improvement in the quality of life of everyone in Akwa Ibom as there is an equal exposure to business opportunities, and social amenities.

    • Uko, an entreprenuer lives in Abuja.