Ime Akpan
The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has said that crude oil had been discovered in commercial quantity in Uruan local government area of the state.
Emmanuel who stated this yesterday at the council’s headquarters, Idu, during his electioneering said exploration activities would start soon.
He said the state “is now awaiting the conclusion of some paper formalities” adding that when completed, it would go a long way in expanding the state’s status and income from the federation account.
The governor said the commencement of oil exploration would further boost the state’s economy and create employment for the people.
“Uruan is at the verge of becoming one of the oil producing communities in the state. That is why you see a new oil rig in the area, and once we are done with signing of papers, we will begin exploration,” he said.
He said his administration had established a green house agriculture farm project along airport road for the cultivation of special crops in the area.
“We are not playing politics of development, because campaigns should be issue- based. I can assure the people of Uruan that everything ongoing in the area will be completed and commissioned before the end of this administration. The greenhouse in Uruan will be commissioned by our presidential candidate,” he said.
Emmanuel also said about 2000 cattle had been purchased to reproduce in their natural habitat before they are transported to the state for the production of milk and yoghurt.
He added that he was committed to improve healthcare delivery system in the council area.
Consequently, he said he would see to a massive turnaround of the Ituk Mbang General Hospital, which he said, had been in a serious state of disrepair.
“Ituk Mbang hospital was overgrown with weeds without maintenance and we turned its fortunes around by equipping it with modern facilities,” he said.
He also lamented that the previous administrations did not construct a killometre of road in Uruan.
Meanwhile, projects planned for the local government area include Akwa Prime Hatchery, construction of Anua-Mbak-Issiet Road, Mbiaya Uruan Road and Mbiatok Itam-Mbiaya Uruan Road.
The others are Mbiaya-Ita-Ikpa-Mbiakong- Idu Road, Ituk Mbang General Hospital, Adadia/Use Cattle Ranch, among others.
