As part of efforts to consolidate its economic diversification drive, the Akwa Ibom State Government would soon get four agric processing mills, courtesy of its synergy with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The agricultural processing mills are expected to be sited in each of the four Federal Constituencies making up Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District as a pilot scheme.
A press release by NDDC’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Ibitoye Abosede, and made available to The Tide, quoted the Managing Director of the commission, Mr Nsima Ekere, as having disclosed this, last Saturday in Uyo while playing host to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Women Forum (IESDWF).
The Tide learnt that of the four, three palm oil processing mills are to be located in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara/Essien Udim and Ikono/Ini Federal Constituencies while a garri processing mill is to be sited in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
Ekere explained that the pilot scheme would be replicated in other parts of the state in due course.
He stressed that the mills would help process agricultural produce harvested from the area to ensure value addition to the products and maximum benefit to farmers in the impacted local government areas.
The NDDC boss further emphasised that the initiative would enhance the state’s drive towards the diversification of its economy with a view to boost revenue generation while assuring food security and sufficiency in the state.
Ekere used the opportunity to call on members of the forum yet to register as voters to take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that “in 2019, there will be voting and votes will count”.
He urged the women to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari, pointing out that the President has shown much love for the people of the Niger Delta as reflected in the number of appointments given to indigenes of the region and the location of key projects, including the coastal rail line from Calabar to Lagos.
Speaking, a prominent politician in the senatorial district, Chief Ini Okori, described the forum as a formidable and politically-faithful group, adding that the women, elders and youth of the senatorial district were determined to vote for the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in 2019 to continue implementing economic diversification policy to pull Nigeria out of poverty and hunger.
In her speech, the President of the forum, Mrs. Ekaette Ime, lauded Ekere for his contributions to the growth of APC in the state, and assured of the determination of women in the senatorial district to take full advantage of the mills to improve the contributions of the agricultural sector to the growth of the state’s economy.
She, however, called on Ekere to consider the women of the senatorial district in the NDDC empowerment programmes and employment opportunities.
A former President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Akwa Ibom State, Obonganwan Mmenyene Nkwo, said the women were steadfast in praying for Ekere’s success.
A former state Woman Leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Lady Victoria Mel-Udoh, stated that the forum was embarking on a ward-to-ward drive to strengthen the APC in the senatorial district.
With Ekere to receive the women, who numbered over a hundred, were a former member of the House of Representatives, Barrister Bassey Dan-Abia Jr, a former member of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Akanimo Edet, and President of Progressives’ Women Forum, Obonganwan Dora Ebong.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana