The Foreign Direct Investment drive of Akwa Ibom State government has received a major boost as General Electric, a leading energy provider, has concluded plans to establish a world-class training institute in the state as part of efforts to address manpower needs in the industry.
Joyce Shyngle-Wigwe, director, government affairs of the company who disclosed this after a meeting with Governor Udom Emmanuel in Uyo, the state capital, said the power company had watched with keen interest the pace of development in the state as regards infrastructure, and had decided “to partner with the state in the provision of electricity, healthcare services and in other development programmes of the administration.”
Shyngle-Wigwe explained that the company had been involved in the installation of turbines at Ibom Power Plant, and had undertaken the rehabilitation of power infrastructure to facilitate speedy transmission and distribution of electricity in the state.
In his remarks, Etido Inyang, chairman of Ibom Power Company, who facilitated the meeting, described the interaction as fruitful and explained that the governor had given approval for the state government to collaborate with the firm to boost power generation at Ibom Power Company.
Inyang said the collaboration would make the state a power hub, and the first phase of electricity generation would be at 240mw while another 240mw would provide a total output of 480mw for sufficient power generation.
According to Inyang, the governor has directed the company to work out a scheme to actualise the vision and expressed delight at the company’s decision to establish a training centre in the state.
Ephraim Inyang, commissioner for works, said the company would help fast track the development matrix of the state administration.
Ahmed Zakari, chief operating officer of the company, who congratulated Governor Emmanuel and members of the state executive council on the development strides witnessed in the state, said their decision to partner the state was due to the quality infrastructure and the industrial programme of the state government.
He said the partnership would boost the power sector to enable small and medium scale business operators carry out their businesses and provide employment to the youths of the state.
