The Akwa Ibom government has solicited the partnership of the Uyo Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (UYOCCIMA) in its effort to boost the industrial development of the state.
At a one-day interaction forum organised by the chamber to sensitize the business community on the investment opportunities in the state, the state government urged the chamber to see itself as a partner in fast-tracking entrepreneurship activities in the state.
Emmanuel Enoidem, commissioner for industries, commerce and investment who made the plea said the state is ready for industrial take off having achieved much in the provision of infrastructure adding that there could not have been a better time than now.
According to him, the state government has taken concrete steps to develop the industrial sector with the proposed 15,000-hectare coconut plantation for the coconut refinery saying that more than five million cocoanut stands would be planted with over 200 metric tons of coconut oil would be produced daily when the refinery comes on stream.
“The state government has fulfilled its responsibility to the business community, we are now working on a road map to ensure that the state enjoys a minimum of 20 hours of regular power supply a day,’’ he said.
The commissioner who described the recent hatchery inaugurated by the Governor as the biggest in this part of the country said is the responsibility of the business community to key into the project by providing facility a feed mill, a maize farm and a processing plant for the establishment of an integrated poultry industry.
He urged the business community to avail themselves of the various opportunities existing in the state adding that with the rehabilitation of the cocoa sector the business community should partner the state government in adding value to cocoa produce by setting up cocoa processing facilities.
“There are countless opportunities in the state but the business community needs to think and come out with bankable business plans that will support the industrialisation programme of the state government, ‘’ he said.
Earlier, Imo Isemin, president of the chamber noted that the industrial sector in the state has yet to be developed remaining an infant several years after the creation of the state. She said it is embarrassing that “virtually everything is imported into the state including foodstuff and vegetables.”
According to Isemin, a former first lady of the state, there is an urgent need to build a vibrant industrial sector by creating a critical mass of prosperous businesses pointing out that there is need for a conducive and enabling governance structure legal, institutional and financial.
The president who announced plans for a “mother-of-all trade fairs’’ to be held in the state this year decried the lack of access to credit facilities for members of the chamber that would enable them grow their businesses saying that ‘’without this kind of source of funding., industrialisation of Akwa Ibom State might be a pipe dream.’’
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK
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