By Otobong Nsekpong
The Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno PhD, says industrialization will be a critical part of his second term agenda.
The governor stated this at the commissioning of Ibom Paint Limited at Ikot Ekang in Etinan local government area.
Ibom Paint Limited is located at the premises of the old Peacock Paint, an industry established by the civilian administration of Late Dr. Clement Isong of old Cross River State.
The company went bankrupt during the military regime and was revamped and commissioned by the immediate past administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel in 2015.
Unfortunately, poor management crippled the company once again until it caught the attention of the present administration that is determined to turn waste to wealth in the state.
“I don’t want to believe that there is anything wrong about this local government in terms of running a successful business venture.
“It has to do with management. We are going to put in place a sound and dynamic management devoid of distraction.
“I am declaring a state of emergency here and Mr. Ime Uwah is the sole administrator. For now, there will be no board members. He has so far recorded profit and I want him to continue”
The governor acknowledged the paint factory as a legacy project that must not die saying, he would have gone elsewhere to set this up but we must not let this legacy to die.
“These industries can work when we have a selfless management team in place. This place will engage our young people and it is important we keep it alive. You can become a distributor of this product within and outside the state.
He charged government contractors to patronize Ibom paint pointing out that, government projects across the state is a big market for the product.
Pastor Eno while thanking the host community for accommodating the workers called for more support from the youth and other stakeholders to enable the new company succeed.
Earlier, the managing director of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), Pastor Imo-Abasi Jacob said the company is 100 percent owned by Akwa Ibom state.
According to him, when the governor gave AKICORP the charge during the December 2024 executive retreat to revamp the company, what was met on ground was a monumental waste.
“We met a monumental waste but with resilience and visionary leadership we went beyond the trouble to what we see today”
Pastor Jacob said there is an investment in raw materials and the products have been certified by Standard Organisation of Nigeria.
The chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon Uko Umoh, in a welcome remark thanked the state governor for resuscitating the paint industry in Etinan and assured him of the cooperation of the people
Goodwill messages came from the political leader of Etinan, Obong Kenneth Okon, the representative of Etinan State Constituency, Hon Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, representative of Etinan federal Constituency, Obong Paul Ekpo and the commissioner for Trade and Investment, Elder Ubong John Inyang.
Speaking exclusively with National Witness, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on project monitoring, Deacon Udo Ekwere applauded the governor for turning the old Peacock paint into a beautiful and profit oriented brand that will soon take over the market both locally and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Hon Ekwere expressed the hope that the new management put in place should avoid the pitfalls of past management and keep the company afloat for the good of the people.
“This has generated job opportunities and when it stabilizes, there will be more jobs through the value chain. The new management must do everything possible to keep the company running not just for government’s huge investment but as a source of employment to those who are engaged here today” he concluded
