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More development projects in Akwa Ibom State undertaken by Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration are ready for inauguration on the 29th of this month.
Chief Akpabio, who disclosed this Tuesday during an inspection tour of some projects, expressed happiness with the different contractors for timely delivery and for doing a high quality work.
Inspecting Ukpom Abak-Idoro Road measuring 29 kilometres, the governor said the last administration in the statetried to construct the road which was in a deplorable state but to no avail. He said he was happy standing on the road.
Also inspected was Ukpom Bridge in Abak Local Government Area, measuring 50 metres. Later, Governor Akpabio accompanied by the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Don Etim, and some members of the State Executive Council inspected Aka-Ikot Ekan-Ediene Abak Road.
Though six of eight kilometres of Mbierebe Obio-Ikot Ekan-Ediene Abak Road have been completed and ready for inauguration, the governor directed the contractor, Raycon Construction Company Limited, to tar a small stretch of the road and build a roundabout at Ekpene Ikpan Nsit junction to free flow of traffic.
In another development, Governor Akpabio has disclosed that a team of Canadian investors are expected in Akwa Ibom soon to explore economic opportunities beneficial to the state. He said while fielding questions from Government House correspondents on his official trip to Abuja after attending the Nigeria-Canada Economic Summit held in Toronto:
“I went to attend the Nigeria-Canada Economic Summit which was held in Toronto. I was happy with the high representation of Akwa Ibom people from the business, academia to the government circles. We had useful discussions with the would-be investors and also companies that are interested in doing business in Nigeria.
“We also represented the people of the state in Canada and a lot of interest was shown, judging from the crowd that followed the Akwa Ibom delegation. I believe strongly that Canadian investors are coming to Nigeria. Outside investing in Federal Government concerns, Akwa Ibom would be the first port of call and we were able to sell the Ibaka Deep Seaport, the free trade zone with the possibility of establishing ammonia plant in the state.”
The governor described Canada as a major aviation hub in the world in the manufacture of hi-tech Bombadier aircraft, disclosing that the state government delegation was able to sell the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility of Akwa Ibom International Airport to the Canadians.
He further disclosed that Canadian investors also showed interest in the crude oil sector in the country, saying that Africa showcased Nigeria as the highest complaint on technical know-how due to the country’s law on local content which is beneficial to the citizens in the oil sector.
Akpabio said that from Canada, the delegation moved to Houston in the United States of America for an oil retreat. He expressed the hope that prospective investors would explore the opportunity by investing in the rich oil deposits in the country and in the state.
•Photo shows Governor Akpabio.