Ibom Entrepreneurs appeal for government support

Ibom Entrepreneurs appeal for government support

The Ibom Entrepreneurs Forum (IEF) has appealed to the state government to support them financially so that they will be able to function effectively in their own fields and compete with other industrialists outside the country. 

The Chairman of the forum, Obong Etim A. Udofia told our correspondent in Ikot Ekpene recently that entrepreneurs in the state have not felt the impact of the Governor Udom Emanuel led administration. 

He recalled that one of the 5 points agenda of Governor Udom is to industrialise the state, noting with sadness that government instead of encouraging and supporting the real industrialists who are indigenes of the state has decided to do otherwise by bringing industrialists from outside the state to operate. 

IEF boss who is also the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Be Bless Industries, manufacturers of exotic synthetics and porcelain ceiling boards, located along KM 10 Ikot Ekpene, Calabar/Itu High Way, Ikono Local Government Area (certified by SON) further lamented that his company can no longer produce and pay salaries to workers because of lack of funds. 

Udofia who has bagged several awards within and outside the state,  including, conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPON) award in 2013 and Creativity National Award in 2016 maintained that increase in unemployment in the state was as result of lack of functional industries in the state.

He pleaded to the state government to direct the state ministry of commerce and industries, AKICPOC and other government agencies to partner with the Ibom Entrepreneurs Forum so as to access the government loans to Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs)

On his part, a member the forum who is also the Managing Director of UKPONSON Paper Mill Nigeria Company Limited, Obong Okon S. Ukpong of 7  Umoh Ekpo street off Ikpong road, Ikot Ekpene local government area (award winning industralist certified by SON ) also expressed worry over the decay of Akwa Ibom Industrialists. 

He explained that local industries cannot stay afloat because of lack of enabling environment to operate such as getting loan facilities from government and organisations, calling on the state government to to do something about it in order to boost the economy of the state. 

Obong Ukpong frowned at their inability to produce goods and export to other parts of the country, and stressed the need on capacity of local entrepreneurs for better productivity.