BRITISH GOVT. LAUDS AKPABIO ON DEVELOPMENT

Godswill Akpabio

The British Government has commended Gov. Godswill O. Akpabio for his massive developmental strides in Akwa Ibom State.

The British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Bob Joe speaking through the Director of  Trade and Investment, Mr. Peter Stephenson, said having gone round, the state, they were impressed at the number of life- changing  projects embarked upon by Akpabio’s government.

Stephenson who paid a courtesy visit on Akpabio in Government House, Uyo said they were also happy with what he described as “high quality jobs,” the governor’s “progressive attitude on education,” and being “proactive in administration.”

“While traveling from Calabar to Uyo yesterday, I witnessed an intensive construction of roads and I thank you very much for the high quality jobs being done”, he lauded.

The director commended the government for bringing to the state such world-class companies as Centrica and Statoil Hydro Company to develop the gas sector regarded as the downstream sector of the economy.

Stephenson said he was in the state to hold discussion with the companies handling tourism development and Ibom Power Plant with a view to rendering technical aid to them, adding that British Government would also assist in training and re-training of teachers in the education sector.

He praised the state government for investing enormously in the tourism sector and called on genuine foreign investors to properly exploit abundant crude oil deposits particularly gas, invest in the power sector and the rich aluminum deposits in Akwa Ibom for aviation industry in the world.

Akpabio thanked a representative of British High Commissioner to Nigeria for his timely visit to Akwa Ibom and hoped the visit would spur British firms to do business in the State.

He was happy that some foreign companies have indicated interest to invest in Akwa Ibom and lauded Nigerian Gas Company for its readiness to supply gas to Ibom Power Plant to commence full operations soon.

“Few companies are ready to work with us.  There is progress in the discussion with Glomalet to work with Ibom Power Plant.  Nigerian Gas Company has assured to remove impediments in the supply of gas to us,” the governor hinted.

Akpabio said he and the management of Centrica /Statoil Hydro Company had met President Musa Yar’Adua on the development of gas sector in Akwa Ibom, adding that “From the gas master plan, we have large and untapped gas reservoir of more than trillion cubic metres for exploitation.”