- The governor highlighted the significance of the deep seaport, stating that it could serve the Niger Delta region and accommodate ships from around the world due to its deep wharf
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom revealed that President Bola Tinubu has instructed him to submit a memo seeking federal government support for the Ibom deep seaport and a letter requesting assistance for the state’s oil palm agricultural program.
Following a meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja, Eno explained that he visited to wish the president a happy new year and emphasized Akwa Ibom’s capacity as an oil palm state with the potential to supply the commodity to both domestic and international markets.
The governor highlighted the significance of the deep seaport, stating that it could serve the Niger Delta region and accommodate ships from around the world due to its deep wharf.
“We talked and I requested him to support us with our Ibom deep support and agricultural programme on the oil palm,” he said.
“The President has graciously granted that I bring the memo to the requests and including MRO (Maintainance Repair and Overall) of course, the President is a businessman, he had to also ask, are we making profits running Ibom Air.
“Because government has no business in business and I told him government is completely out of the running of Ibom Air.
“Ibom Air is making profit and they are ploughing it back for expansion and the airport facility, the second taxi-way is on, we have the new terminal, we have the MRO and he was pleased to hear that.”
Speaking about the state’s palm oil industry’s support for agriculture, Eno said the sector has been moribund for 28 years.
For the state to have a full value chain, create jobs for the populace, and assist the nation, Eno said the federal government must fully support Akwa Ibom.
“Akwa Ibom is an oil palm zone. And we have started the process of revamping the moribund industry that has laid there for 28 years,” he said.
“It is being revamped right now. We need the support of the federal government to be able to have a full value chain and then bring people to work and be able to help Nigeria.”
He said the state can export palm oil, however, the country is currently importing much of it.