Institute Tasks A’Ibom On Industrial Policy

The Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN), has advised the Akwa Ibom Government to implement its industrial development policy immediately.

Mr Friday Udoh, the South-South Coordinator of ICEN, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Uyo.

He said that speedy industrialisation of the state would reduce poverty and the crime rate.

“The government had done quite well in the area of free education, which means acquisition of skills.

“But without a strong industrial base this vision might turn into illusion as the capacity to absorb manpower will be limited.

“We view with great concern the obvious government’s continuous silence on the reactivation of the moribund industries, even when 2012 budget was tagged “Budget of Industrialisation,’’ Udoh said.

He said that apart from Champion Breweries, other industries established in 1979 by Dr Clement Isong administration in the former Cross River had closed shop.

Udoh listed the abandoned industries to include Sunshine Battery, Biscuit Manufacturing Plant, Ceramic Industry, Peacock Paint, Qua Steel Industry as well as Akwa Palm industry.

He lamented that the only industries in the state were the privatised Aluminum Smelting Plant at Ikot Abasi, American Oil Firm and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

Udoh said that the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company at Oku Iboku in Itu local government area had not been producing since its privatisation.

“Industrialisation is a necessary policy instrument which a reasonable government must pursue because of its inherent capability of altering the vicious circle of poverty and underdevelopment,” he said.

Udoh said that the state had the potential to boost investment in agro-based industries like palm oil, cassava, yam, cocoyam, plantain, maize, rice, rubber and many varieties of fish as well as sea foods.