The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has expressed sadness over the destruction of a multi-million dollar worth of coconut plantation by the youths of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. He said this act of vandalism was not only economic sabotage but it also deprives the people of Eastern Obolo of employment opportunities the plantation provided for them.
Governor Emmanuel made this statement on Tuesday in Ikot Ekpene while inaugurating the 16.71km Abak-IfiaIkpemMbak road with 2.1km outfall drains in Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara Local Government Areas. The governor called on youths to take ownership of government projects sited in their communities so they can prevent the likes of the Eastern Obolo incident from happening again.
The Governor also made it known that the plantation served as a source of raw materials for the coconut oil refinery located in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. With such wanton destruction of the plantation, the state is now at a disadvantage in negotiating deals with investors, which could have led to more employment opportunities for the people.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the Governor described it as excessive and unfair, calling on youth leaders in the state to speak up against such activities. According to him, the youth leaders should come up with legitimate ways to prevent similar occurrences from happening in the future.
Governor Emmanuel also expressed gratitude to the youths of Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas for their cooperation with the contractors during the construction of the road. He urged them to see the projects sited in their communities as their own so that everyone can benefit from them.
The Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, in his overview of the newly inaugurated Abak-IfiaIkpemMbak road project, said: “It is a hybrid road, consisting of two parts, and constructed with side drains and two outfall drains to meet the international standard, opening up the communities to urban cities for trade and commercial purposes.” He also pointed out that the road project, which is 16.71km long, connected various communities between the two Local Government Areas.
