The Akwa Ibom State Government has commended the decision by the host communities of Aka Offot Industrial Estate/Banking Layout to embrace and give peace a chance, by agreeing to the peace process brokered by Government, geared towards industrialisation and sustainable development.
This commendation was made by the Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), Dr. Elijah Akpan while receiving the youth leaders of the four host communities of the Industrial Area, who under the aegis of Coalition of Youth Leaders Forum had visited him in his office.
On being told they had come purposely to thank him for the concerted efforts he put in to bring about the needed peace agreement in the Industrial Area, Dr. Akpan said that he was particularly touched and surprised by their gesture and expressed the optimism that the peace so brokered will be allowed to stand the test of time.
Dr. Akpan told them it was Government’s desire to see that peace is maintained and allowed to reign in all parts of the State as this, according to him, will encourage investors and in this way, speed up the industrialisation process.
He reminded the youth of the fact that what drives industrialisation, progress and development of any society is peaceful co-existence with neighbouring communities – both within and without one’s immediate surroundings; and used the opportunity to appeal to community and youth leaders in, not only Aka Offot Industrial Estate/Banking Layout, but the entire State, to help create a conducive and enabling environment for industries to spring up.
Dr. Akpan, himself a business maestro, disclosed that whenever Government promises investors it would create a conducive environment, while also assuring them of security, it is actually relying on the people and their community/youth leaders to ensure that peace is promoted and maintained.
On the various requests contained in his guests’ address, the AKICORP Boss promised to forward same to the Governor, but said he could not guarantee them employment in Champion Breweries Plc as, according to him, the company was already overstaffed and, therefore, unable to accommodate more.
He, however, gave the reassurance that with a lasting peace now guaranteed, industries will flourish in the Industrial Area, which will in turn create job opportunities for them and others from across the entire State.
The Executive Officer of AKICORP reiterated the resolve of the Udom Emmanuel-led Administration to see to the actualisation of its 5-Point Agenda through the making the State an industrial hub, maintaining that the issue of industrialisation is a serious one and, therefore, a must.
Earlier in an address read by the Youth President of Nung Oku, Akaninyene Edem, the Coalition of Youth Leaders Forum said they had come to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Elijah Akpan and his Team for what they described as an ‘unprecedented feat in the settlement of the age long tussle’ over the ownership of land on which is situated Champion Breweries Plc.
Co-signed by the other three youth presidents: Christian Effiom John, Aka Offot; Edidiong Asuquo, Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan and Collins Bassey, Itiam Ikot Ebia, the Forum congratulated Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel on his Supreme Court victory and pledged their loyalty and continuous support to his Administration.
They expressed their readiness to partner the State Government in the task of ensuring that peace reigns, while extending a hand of strengthening the bond of friendship and co-operation with AKICORP in the development of the State.
Amongst the request contained in their address were the employment of indigenes of host communities by Champion Breweries; creation of Community Relation Unit/Department and appointment of Community Relation Officers from each of the four host communities, as well as an appeal for Government to bring more industries to their domain, among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment