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Tag: Akwa Ibom

  • Opposition can’t distract me, Says Udom

    The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom on Thursday said that he would not be distracted by the antics of political opponents in his state.

    According to him, the opponents were allegedly planning to cause mayhem and disrupt the forthcoming general elections in the area.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, he said that only God ultimately gives power and that he was not afraid of losing re-election next year.

    He said “There is something you people must know. When it comes to power it is only God who determines and we are conscious of that. We are professionals who have made names in other places. So, when people just discuss some of these things we keep doing our own businesses.

    “At times, some of these things are to distract you but we refuse to be distracted. We play politics of development and our people are seeing that. So, whatever would have tried in any way to distract us we don’t want to be distracted. So, don’t be bothered about that. It is only God who determines what happens the next minute, not man. And no man is God.”

    He also said anyone planning violence and war in Akwa Ibom was wasting his time as the people have resolved to be peaceful and will remain so.

    He however pointed out that such threats from any quarters were being noted even at the level of the presidency, and that he believed there is no cause for alarm.

    Read Also: Ribadu, Abe, others lose out as APC Appeals Panel submits report

    “At the moment , Akwa Ibom State is very peaceful. We only hear of those plots. I am sure you people heard where people were pronouncing that Warsaw, Warsaw, and that’s what they wish Akwa Ibom would be.

    “But we indigenes are saying no, we are peaceful and we want to maintain peace. Whoever wants to live by Warsaw, will also see war on his own, not within the state. Because, most of those people that make these pronouncements, ask them where are their children?

    “So, who are those children that you are pronouncing this Warsaw for? Election does not call for that. That’s not democracy!

    “People can give different kinds of meanings for democracy, but that’s not democracy. Our own democracy is about development and I think we’re conscious of that. As of today in terms of internal security I think we are still doing very well and we’ll continue to carry everybody along.” he said

    According to him, he was at the Villa to discuss with the President development issues concerning Akwa Ibom.

  • Fed Govt, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers to raise panel within 90 days

    ALL revenue lost to oil exploring and exploiting companies due to wrong profit sharing formula under the Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) since August 2003, the Supreme Court ordered yesterday.

    It directed the Federal Government to initiate moves to recover the funds from the oil giants.

    The court’s seven-man panel, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, gave the order in a consent judgment given yesterday in a suit filed by Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states against the Federal Government in 2016.

    The states, who sued through their Attorneys-General, agreed to an amicable settlement, which was reduced to terms of settlement.

    They filed the terms of settlement on April 6, 2018 and the apex court adopted it as its judgment.

    The terms of settlement were signed by the Attorneys-General of the three states – the late Emmanuel Aguma (Rivers), Kemasuode Wogu (Bayelsa) and Uwemedimo Nwoko (Akwa Ibom) as well as the lead counsel for the AGF, Mr. Lucius Nwosu.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, signed as the witness.

    By the agreement, the AGF is expected to work with the three states to “immediately set up a body and the necessary mechanism for recovery” of all the lost revenue since August 2003.”

    The court directed that the AGF to, within 90 days, put in place the mechanism for the recovery of the lost revenue.

    The three states which had jointly filed the suit marked SC.964/2016, in the names of their respective Attorneys-General, contended that the Federal Government had been short-changed of its supposed shares of an estimated earnings of $1,149,750,000,000, under the Production Sharing Contracts for the period between 2003 and 2015.

    According to them, the huge loss suffered by the Federal Government is due to the failure of the minister of Petroleum Resources for over 15 years to activate the re-adjustment of the sharing formula (the PSC) of 60 per cent share of oil profits to the Federal Government and 40 per cent to the oil companies.

    They argued that the Federal Government had suffered huge losses under the PSC because of non-compliance with Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act which was said to have come to effect since January 1, 1993.

    The plaintiffs faulted Section 8(1)(f) of the Production Sharing Contracts between the Federal Government and the oil companies, which makes provision for the 60 to 40 per cent sharing agreement.

    They stated that, under the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) Act, there ought to be an upward re-adjustment of Federal Government’s share of oil profit “in a manner as to become economically beneficial to the Federal Government” whenever the price of crude oil exceeded $20 per barrel.

    The states argued that the PSC which provides for the current sharing formula between the Federal Government and the oil companies could no longer be valid because the oil prices had since overshot the $20 per barrel.

    When the case came up on November 14, 2017 Abubakar Malami (SAN), listed as the sole defendant, indicated his preparedness to explore an amicable settlement of the suit.

    Following AGF’s request, the apex court adjourned to give room for the parties to negotiate.

    Other parties in the suit were said to have met with the AGF in his office on March 20, 2018, and agreed to settle, and later came up with the agreement filed as terms of settlement on April 6, 2018.

    With the agreement adopted by the court on Wednesday, the Federal Government has agreed to implement prayers (a) – (c) in the suit.

    Prayer (a) is “a declaration that there is a statutory obligation imposed on the defendant (the AGF/FG) pursuant to Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, Cap D3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to adjust the share of the Government of the Federation in the additional revenue accruing under the Production Sharing Contracts if the price of crude oil at any time exceeds twenty dollars ($20) per barrel in real terms to such extent that the Production Sharing Contracts shall be economically beneficial to the government of the Federation; and a fortiori the component Federating States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially the 1st, 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs.”

    With regard to prayer (b), the court declared “that the failure of the defendant to accordingly adjust the share of the Government of the Federation in the additional revenue in the Production Sharing Contracts…” constitutes “a breach of the said Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act” and has affected the total revenues of the Federal Government and the states.

    Prayer (c) is therefore, a consequential order of the apex court, “compelling the defendant to adjust the share of the Government of the Federation in the additional revenue under all the PSC in Nigeria’s oil industry within the Inland Basin and Deep Offshore areas as approved by the defendant from the respective times the price of crude oil exceeded twenty dollars ($20) per barrel in real terms and to calculate in arrears with effect from August 2003 and recover and pay immediately all outstanding statutory allocations due and payable to the plaintiffs arising from the said adjustments.”

    By the agreement, parties agreed as follow:

    “That reliefs (a) (b) and (c) in the Amended Originating Summons relating to the larger interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the entire citizenry of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and which therefore shall be diligently implemented.

    “That the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation on behalf of the Defendant working jointly with the Plaintiffs hereby undertake to immediately set up a body and the necessary mechanism for recovery of all lost revenue accruing to the Federation Account arising from, associated with or pertaining to relief (C) above in the past and up till the date of full recovery and accruing in future or an acceptable instalmental payments thereof within ninety (90) days next from the date of execution of these presents or its being made judgment of this Honourable Court.

    “That the solicitors of the plaintiff and or their nominee professional advisers shall be members of that body and necessary recovery mechanism set up by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation in (b) above.

    “That the cost of the recovery in clause b. iii (b) above shall be netted off and payable from the Gross recovered sums from time to time prior to placement of the net recoveries in the Federation Account.

    “That the 13 per cent (per cent) derivation due to the plaintiffs shall be paid to them upon recovery in accordance with Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson described the verdict as victory for the littoral states, according to a statement by his Adviser on Media Relations Fidelis Soriwei.

    According to him, even before the first offshore swamp oil well was discovered under the particular Act by the Nigeria AGIP Energy, the price of crude oil had exceeded $20 per barrel being used as a benchmark to share oil revenues in the state.

    He stressed that in spite of the express agreement that shares from the oil revenue accruable to the Federal Government should be adjusted, the benchmark being used by the multinational oil firms has been static at 20 Dollars per Barrel to date.

    The governor, who spoke on behalf of his Rivers and Akwa Ibom states’ colleagues, said that the judgment demonstrated “the primacy of the law in the socio-economic emancipation of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the instrumentality of the government and people of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.”

    Dickson stated further that the implication of the judgment was increase in revenues accruable to the federating states under the extant revenue sharing formula.

    He said: “We commend the Supreme Court of Nigeria for upholding the Rule of law. The courageous intervention of the Supreme Court in this case and other cases is what is needed to bring confidence to the long-suffering people and communities of the Niger Delta and the country at large.

    “This judgment shows clearly that the judiciary is ready and has the courage in deciding cases to uphold the rights of oppressed people.

    “We call on other courts in the judicial system to rise to the occasion in order to give the assurance that oil majors and oil block owners operating in our communities will respect the laws of the land.”

  • Unease as IGP’s squad lands Akwa Ibom

    •Team here to probe attempt on Ekere’Ss life, says NGO

    There was unease yesterday as reports filtered in that a five-man Special Investigative Squad from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had arrived in Akwa Ibom State.

    Sources said the squad was in the state to investigate the assassination attempt on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Nsima Ekere.

    Police spokesman Odiko MacDon, who confirmed the squad’s presence, was, however, not categorical on its ‘assignment’.

    Asked if the team was in the state to investigate the attempt on Ekere’s life, MacDon said he could not say.

    But a non-governmental organisation, Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR) in Niger Delta said the squad was in the state to probe the assassination attempt on Ekere.

    Speaking at the Akwa Ibom Police headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, National President of NAPPDRR Al mustapher Emem Edoho said his association petitioned the IGP on the matter.

    Edoho said the IGP sent a classified X-Squad to the state, led by a senior police chief, and a Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi.

    The NGO said it took the action “in the interest of peace, development and good governance in the state”

    He warned youths against being used by politicians to foment trouble ahead of 2019 polls, explaining that ‘’the NGO was not sponsored by any politician or political party to petition the Police on thoroughly investigate the matter as insinuated in government quarters”.

    “We are an independent organisation working to compel authorities to protect the fundamental rights of every citizen when they are seen to be violated. We will never be bribed to take side in any issue, but when the rights of the people are trampled upon, we must come in to save the situation from getting out of hand,” he said.

    He urged the team to “do a thorough job”, noting that “the leader of the investigating team has assured that he would leave no stone unturned in the process of getting at the truth”.

    “He has assured me that he was not going to compromise in his investigation because he is no answerable to anybody except the IGP that ordered them, so no pressure from anywhere, I believe will  issuade them from coming out with the truth to serve as deterrent to others who may wish to be used to cause mayhem during the elections,” he added.

    Two principal suspects  were arrested, questioned and ordered to report at the headquarters.

     

  • ‘Akwa Ibom to lead Nigeria’s Agricultural Revolution’

    The commissioner of Information and Strategy in Akwa Ibom state, Charles Udoh, has revealed that the aggressive agricultural sector reforms undertaken in the last three and half years  of the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel was driven by the passion to drive an agricultural revolution that will radically shoot up the state’s financial system and revolutionise Nigeria’s economy.

    Udoh, who spoke to newsmen recently on the state’s achievement in the areas of agriculture, said the administration was doing everything in synergy. “Even in our construction, our road networks are no more one directional. We have road networks that are linking the industrial and agricultural hub. This is to ensure that cost of transportation of agricultural products and cost of doing business for the industries we are building are minimised as much as possible,” he explained.

    According to him, with the resources from oil dwindling gradually, the state govbernment is adopting proactive measures and best practices to assure reduced dependence on oil derivation through massive agricultural development and massive state-wide agricultural schemes. These, he noted to include mechanised agriculture, increased empowerment of farmers for improved production, and accelerated livestock schemes to enhance the quality of life of every citizen. For instance, he said the coconut refinery and plantation project,  the new cattle ranch built in partnership with a Mexican company, Akwa Prime Poultry and Hatchery,  the cassava value-chain project and mega garri processing factories, the cocoa resuscitation programme, the  vegetable green houses project and the tomato processing plant among others, were some of the agricultural projects that stand Akwa Ibom out in the race for food sufficiency, economic growth and social transformation.

    “The Coconut oil sector is nature’s most endowed and benefiting tree to man. It is one of the longest surviving plants with more than 365 usages and a value chain that triples other economic generating ventures. The coconut oil refinery alone is expected to provide direct employment for more than 500 youths who would also undergo training in various aspects of the project,” he revealed.

    He said one way the state was strengthening the economy of the state was to develop a value chain for poultry. This, he said, led to the development of a huge hatchery that has a capacity to produce 230,000 day old chicks per week.

    Stating that Akwa Ibom state is making revolutionary agricultural strides in cattle ranching, Udoh revealed that agreement has been concluded with an investor from Mexico to bring in 2,000 herds of cattle to the ranch.

    According to him, “allied projects coming with the ranch include meat processing, yogurt processing, and milk processing factories.This fully integrated cattle farm will produce milk, cheese, meat, hide and skin for various economic uses.”

    Summarising the strategies used in the state’s agricultural revolution, the commissioner said: “basically, the state is deploying Cooperative Agriculture, Value Addition, Out-Grower Schemes, Public-Private-Partnerships, and commercialisation. So far, the results have been quite encouraging. Agriculture is the bedrock of any economy and foundation for many other industries. It is quite thoughtful that we are equally investing in the complete value chain.”

     

     

  • APC to PDP: falsehood can’t stop your defeat in Akwa Ibom

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of resorting to falsehood and propaganda to retain the governorship of Akwa Ibom State.

    Acting National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena, in a statement yesterday, said the attempt by the PDP to pin act of violence on the party was wicked.

    Nabena said the APC was aware of series of petitions against leaders of the PDP in the state, especially a former Commissioner in the Udom Emmanuel government.

    The statement said no amount of blackmail and falsehood will stop the PDP government from being chased out of power during the 2019 general elections.

    The statement reads: “In the face of imminent defeat in the forthcoming 2019 governorship and legislative election in Akwa Ibom State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resorted to falsehood and propaganda against All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the state in its desperation to remain in the reckoning of the Akwa Ibom electorate.

    “We view PDP’s wild and unsubstantiated allegations against former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Atuekong Don Etiebet and the 2019 APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere as one of the falsehoods and propaganda by the PDP.

    “The PDP alleges that the APC chieftains are planning to foment violence in the state in order to ensure the postponement of the forthcoming elections. The allegation itself is a classic case of the aggressor playing the victim to cover up his misdeeds.

    “Since the issue is security, we may as well expose the PDP and their leaders in Akwa Ibom state for who they are: purveyors of violence. We are aware of several petitions in the office of the Inspector General of Police against the PDP National Legal Adviser, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, a former commissioner in Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration.

    “In the petitions, the PDP National Legal Adviser is alleged to have sponsored cultists and militant gangs that have gone out of control in Etim Ekpo, his home local government area and neighbouring Ukanafun. The activities of these cultists have resulted in several deaths in the last three years and displaced many families who now live as displaced persons in Iwukem.

     

  • Nigeria will win FIFA World Cup one day – Pinnick

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has expressed the hope that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will one day win the FIFA World Cup

    Pinnick expressed the hope on Friday in Uyo after playing in the maiden novelty match between SWAN Selected team and Akwa Ibom Sports Arena team.

    The NFF president said he decided to honour the  invitation to play in the match having in mind that if he failed to do so it could be taken as if he got hamstring injury or simply refused to participate.

    Pinnick, who played in the colours of SWAN Selected side throughout the second half of the match, described sports journalists as  critical elements in Nigerian football reportage.

    “We believe in working together. It has been an amazing support from sports journalists. One day we will win the World Cup.

    Also, Paul Bassey, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Udom Emmanuel on sports, congratulated SWAN Selected on their victory over the Akwa Ibom team.

    “Football knows no home turf. If you are a good team and on a good pitch, you can win anywhere.

    “What you do today is exemplary, I wish we had started it earlier than now

    Read Also: Pinnick re-elected as NFF President

    “I promise that whenever we have a home game and we are on a  training pitch and there is flood light, we will always do it again and again.’’

    He said that sports writing remains his “ medium’’ which he could return to at the end of his assignment

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the match played under flood light Friday night at the Training Pitch, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, SWAN Selected defeated their host s3-1.

    Sports journalists led 2-0 in the first half of the novelty match before the homers which had Nse Essien, a state legislator representing Onna State Constituency, reduced the tally.

    The SWAN Selected added the third goal to lift the maiden trophy.

    The match was organised ahead of Saturday’s  Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (Match Day 3) between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

    NAN

  • Senator faults asset declaration charge against him

    The Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East, Bassey Albert Akpan, on Thursday faulted the alleged refusal and neglect to declare assets charges filed against him by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property (SPIP).

    Akpan in a statement described the charges as “malicious and trump-up” and another political ploy by his detractors aimed at misleading the courts and Nigerians.

    He said that the charges were fabricated to dent his name in the face of the current political realities.

    Akpan noted that the same panel had initially filed an application ex-parte with suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/378/18 to “forfeit my properties before Hon. Justice Dimgba of the Federal High Court Abuja and abandoned same after my lawyers filed a counter affidavit deposing to the true state of facts.”

    He said that his lawyers filed that the properties sought to be forfeited were duly declared in June 2015, “when I assumed office as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    He noted that it was curious that the same panel turned round to file “these malicious and non-existent charges before Hon. Justice Tsoho of the same Federal High Court as a face-saving measure/defense to my libel and defamation of character suit against the panel chairman, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla.

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    His case against Obono-Obla, he said, is pending before Hon. Justice Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Apkan said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) mandates every public officer to declare his/her assets once within a period of four years, “which I have duly complied with as a law abiding citizen since 2007 when I became a public officer.”

    He said that SPIP had applied and obtained his assets declaration form from the Code of Conduct Bureau for their records.

    Apkan assured his supporters that he will never be detracted “by these desperate and panic measures aimed at intimidating  and coercing me.”

  • INEC projects 80m registered voters ahead of 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) said on Thursday that more than 80 million registered Nigerians were expected to vote during the 2019 general elections in the country.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this in a paper he presented at the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) holding in Asaba, Delta capital.

    Yakubu, represented by Mike Igini, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akwa Ibom, said that the figure was made up of 67 million existing registered voters and 14 million fresh registrants.

    He said 91 political parties had been registered ahead of the 2019 elections, adding that there was a total of 120,000 polling units across the country.

    The INEC chairman also said that the commission had so far conducted about 190 elections that had not been upturned by any law court.

    He further disclosed that the commission had 16,000 staff across the nation, but added that the number was insignificant in managing elections effectively.

    Yakubu urged Nigerians to take ownership of the election process by participating actively in it.

    The INEC chairman appealed to politicians to shun “vote-buying” which he said the commission was currently working hard to curb.

    “Vote-buying is bad and if we don’t deal with the problem of vote-buying, it will destroy the electoral process,” he said.

    He further tasked the media to maintain neutrality in all its activities during and after elections, noting that the media had assisted tremendously in sustaining voters’ enlightenment.

    Yakubu said that the gathering of editors provided an opportunity for INEC to update those who determined the content of news for the Nigerian people on the extent of its preparations for the elections.

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    “No other body in the country has a better reach than the media in disseminating the goals, intensions and efforts of the commission,” he said.

    He noted that credible elections underscored the idea of election integrity and the notion of inclusiveness, transparency and accountability.

    According to him, it requires that the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) who manage elections should live above board.

    Mahmood advised the EMBs to act in a non-partisan and independent manner by ensuring that established rules governing the conduct of elections were enforced fully and impartially.

  • Buhari will win more in 2019, says Ekere

    The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has predicted a victory for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.

    Speaking with reporters at Eagle Square, Abuja, yesterday after the APC National Convention in which Buhari’s nomination was affirmed, Ekere said from the results of the presidential primary in the 36 states, it was clear Buhari will secure several more votes from across the country than what he scored in 2015.

    He said the President’s popularity rating, as reflected in his huge votes in the presidential direct primary, has increased in all 17 southern states from what it was three years ago, in addition to Buhari’s support in the 19 northern states.

    Ekere, who is the managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said the President would sweep the polls in the nine Niger Delta states because of his interest in the development of the region.  He hailed Akwa Ibom people for their show of support for Buhari, himself and APC.

     

  • BudgIT ranks Edo high on ability to meet monthly recurrent expenditure

    …Edo leads in covering all expenditure without borrowing

     

    The frugal allocation of resources by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State which has enabled the state to meet her monthly recurrent expenditure commitments has been applauded by independent researchers, BudgIT.

    The organisation’s favourable ranking validates investors’ rating of Edo State as an emerging investment haven with sound reforms in critical sectors such as land administration, company registration and the positive disposition of the government to investment, domestic and foreign. 

    In its “State of the States 2018 Report on the ability of States to Meet Monthly Recurrent Expenditure Obligations for January – June 2018,” BudgIT, a civic organisation, said: “Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Ondo are among the top ten states in our Index.”

    The organisation in its fiscal sustainability index analysis explained that “Index A looks at the ability of states to meet their recurrent expenditure obligation with state-owned revenue like value added tax, 13 per cent derivation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). States like Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa and Edo sit top of Index A.”

    On Index B which looks at the states’ ability to cover all recurrent expenditure without resorting to borrowing,  the organisation noted: “Interestingly about 16 states could cover the recurrent expenditure obligation without borrowing funds – a marked improvement over 2017.

    Read Also: BudgIT knocks NASS

    “In the first six months of 2017, only four states could effectively meet their recurrent expenditure without borrowing, selling assets or/and donor funds. States like Kano, Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers and Delta sit on top of the index.

    BudgIT added that “Edo State appears to have shown some initiative by trying to resuscitate its rubber and palm plantations in conjunction with the private sector, a move likely to increase earnings.”

    The plan is to “leverage on high-yielding varieties and long tradition of oil palm production to acquire about 100,000 hectares of land for the development of oil palm estates.”

    BudgIT advised that “the timelines in which this project will be achieved are crucial.

    It assured that “the Gelegele Seaport, which is to be transformed into a container port, holds great promise, if Edo aggressively revitalises her rubber industry – especially as the commodity trades at about $2,000 per ton.

    The organisation projected that “If Edo puts 400,000 hectares under rubber cultivation and invests in research to take yield above four tons per hectares, its rubber-based economy could top $3bn in the near term, on the back of efficient distribution through the seaport.”

    It further explained in the State of the States Report that “Despite increasing production capacity over the last seven years, Nigeria ranked 15 on the global production chart for rubber, as at 2016, with a capacity of 156,341 tons – a mere 1.19% of global output (at 13.15million tons).

    “This leaves a lot of market room, more so with the increasing application of rubber in the production of items such as stamp, shoes, mulch and roofing. Edo can therefore achieve increase output by putting the following measures in place: mechanised farming; standard storage facilities; stellar transportation systems; processing facilities and alternate point(s) of export/exit point from the country.

    “Formal trade agreements with any importing countries would also be a great advantage. Investment in rail infrastructure could also potentially open Edo’s economy to the Southwest and North-west corridor, ensuring smooth transfer of goods and services that in turn results in a larger transfer of funds into the public purse.”