Nigeria and the Akwa Ibom Model
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Historically, development was a promise all too often given in the nation with the fourth largest oil reserves in the world. From the federal level on down to the state to state, electricity was and in many cases is lacking throughout Nigeria and infrastructural progression is often subtly put on the political backburner.
Then there is the case of Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Godswill Akpabio, in a few short years, has tangibly fulfilled his promise of ‘uncommon transformation‘. In Uyo, hospitals are being built, bridges are connecting business to business, an entertainment complex is quickly on the rise and the maritime potentials of the state are soon to be unlocked.
A railroad linking Uyo with Port Harcourt is the latest endeavor of the Akwa Ibom State Government to benefit economic development throughout the state and indeed the country.
Governor Akpabio was quoted by the Vanguard as stating that “…it was important to link all states, economic zones and mining areas with railways for easy movement of goods and people. The Ibaka Seaport has the added advantage of proximity and centrality to deep offshore operations and the West Africa Region Joint Development Zone including Sao Tome, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Gabon. Added to this is the availability of ample undeveloped land.”
Next on the agenda? The Governor stated that his administration plans to build an Industrial City on the area the seaport is located, adding that “the Ibom Industrial City would be an industrial mix of oil and gas-based support services, dockyard and watercraft repair facilities, fertilizer plant, oil refinery, gas-to-liquid projects, petrochemical industries, power plant and [along with] the Ibaka Seaport, promises to be self-sustaining.”
He said that when fully operational, the industrial city would employ 100,000 people and increase the export base of the nation.
It should indeed be noted that Governor Akpabio commended Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for the Federal Government’s acceptance to develop the seaport.