…..Flag off slated for December, 2019
Plans are underway for the formal commencement of construction of the expanded ultra-modern science and industrial park with world class facilities in Akwa Ibom State.
The multi-faceted facility which will be known as Ibom Blue Sea Science and Industrial Park will be funded under a collaboration with a Chinese conglomerate, Blue Sea International Holding Group Company Limited, which is coming into the project with an investment sum of 1.5billion Euros.
The Akwa Ibom State commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Iniobong Essien, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the Crystal Express, said they have successfully concluded plans for the commencement of the gigantic project.
According to him, the state government and the conglomerate have conceived a worthwhile package on how the Ibom Blue Sea Science and Industrial Park will look like and soonest the project will kick start.
“We are looking at December 19, 2019 for the ground breaking ceremony. I can also say that about 176 hectares of land have been acquired for this purpose,” he said.
Throwing more light on the proposed projects, Dr Essien explained that the component of what will be done and the concept of the new science and industrial park include developing even the existing structure at the initial conceived science park, which we will be used as part of a skill acquisition centre.
“There will be primary, secondary schools and university; all technology based, sited there. The park of this nature will also become an incubation centre for a number of our youths to explore their talents, including some of our inventors who have shown capacity in a number of areas will have the opportunity to advance and expand their skills, their knowledge under the close watch of researchers who will look into what they propose and see how it would be fine-tuned and properly patented,” Dr. Essien highlighted.
The commissioner explained that the new science park will also be a place where a number of applications will be designed to help people solve problems.
“Blue Sea International Holding Group Company Limited will dole out the funds for the building of the project while the state government will provide an enabling environment which includes land, security, and power among others.”
The Commissioner explained that the components of the new science and industrial park will also include hotel and settlement for workers; “It will have a hydro power generating plant to supplement whatever comes from public power. There will also be an export free zone. Goods that are manufactured there will be duty free to encourage more manufacturers to come. Once this is done, a number of big companies will come in. But we need to take the development to a certain level before any of those companies will come from the date of commencement of work. They are proposing 12 months to complete the first phase. The Governor has given his full backing and support for the realization of the project. The science park will create employment and generate revenue and put Akwa Ibom at the centre stage of ICT and technology development,” he emphasized.
He further explained that the arrival of the project will put Akwa Ibom in the forefront of technology advancement in the country.
He went on, “I can see Akwa Ibom becoming a major hub in the West African region. I can see Akwa Ibom attracting a number of industries both in the ICT and other areas. Once we achieve power stability as being addressed by the Governor, every other thing will fall in place.”
