FG Approves Establishment of Oil And Gas Facility in Akwa Ibom
By Blessing Ajah
Logistics for the establishment of an oil and gas facility in Akwa Ibom State has been approved by the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has said.
Sylva who announced the partnership approval on Sunday, in Uyo, the state capital, added that work would soon commerce at the proposed site of the project.
According to him, the existing peace and security of lives and properties in the state were the major factors that influenced the government’s decision towards the establishment of the facility in the state.
He urged other states to maintain peace in their various states, saying there were much to gain when there is peace.
He commended the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel on his efforts at maintaining peace and security, adding that the state government should support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He said: “As we go back, work will start in earnest. Mr. President has already helped by signing a Free Trade Zone status for that area.
“We want to send a message to the states that there is something to be gained in maintaining peace.
“Few concerns were raised on choice of Akwa Ibom for our retreat, but politics was not part of the consideration”.
The minister promised the people of Akwa Ibom that with the full support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), they are very interested to partner with them to build a base in their state capital, which happens to be the first.
He urged the governor to set up a team to work with the NNPC in order to come up with modalities for the partnership.
For his part, Governor Udom expressed appreciation over the new development and proposed that the ground-breaking be done in September in commemoration of the state’s 33rd Anniversary.
Governor Udom disclosed that the approved oil and gas free zone in Akwa Ibom by President Buhari would be sitedisited on 50,000 hectares of land.
He urged the minister to partner with the state for the 540 Megawatts Qua Iboe Power Plant project.
