The Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) and (Oil), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, have described the leadership and development strides of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, as visionary and impactful beyond the State.
The Petroleum Ministers made the remarks separately when they led the Governing Board of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, who are in the State for a retreat, on a courtesy visit to Governor Umo Eno in his office at Government House, Uyo,
Obongemem Ekpo noted that the NCDMB Retreat would not have been best hosted in any other location in Nigeria other than in a peaceful and serene Akwa Ibom where leadership is captained by a peace-loving Governor Eno.
Obongemem Ekpo highlighted that NCDMB, with its headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is all about building local content and regulating the activities of companies that are operational in the country.
On his part, Senator Lokpobiri stated that he was particularly happy that Akwa Ibom State has become the home of retreats for most corporate organisations.
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Senator Lokpobiri disclosed that the NCDMB Retreat was initially slated for Abuja, but the Council later chose Akwa Ibom because of its outstanding peaceful ambience and impressive infrastructure propelled by a visionary and impactful leadership led by Governor Eno.
Senator Lokpobiri commended Governor Eno for sustaining and deepening the peaceful nature of the State as well as the expansion of infrastructural amenities the State has been known for over the years.
Lokpobiri observed that Akwa Ibom State has been very lucky to be blessed with exceptional leaders who have been making impressive developmental marks in their various periods of leadership in the State.
He particularly celebrated Governor Eno for his remarkable sense of peaceful and unifying disposition, vision and developmental initiatives.
Senator Lokpobiri reiterated the significance of the NCDMB in the country, stressing that in the past 15 years, the Board has facilitated the creation of strong local capacity that has filled the gap created by the exit of some foreign oil companies in the country.
In his remarks, Governor Eno appreciated the two Ministers for the honour done the State by hosting the NCDMB Retreat in Akwa Ibom, and advocated for qualified indigenes of the State to be absorbed into the NCDMB for true justification of its status as a local content promoter.
“We have observed that in the NCDMB, we don’t have our sons and daughters within the Board and management. We are also part of the local content. Let our people be equally engaged to work in the organisation and to contribute their quota for its greater impact and meaning in the lives of our people,” he stated.
Governor Eno assured the NCDMB of the State government’s continued collaboration and support for its programmes and activities.
The Governor congratulated Obongemem Ekpo on his recent election as the President of the Ministerial Meeting of Gas Exporting Countries Forum and celebrated the Managing Director of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, Dr Philip Mshelbila, who was also elected as Secretary-General of the Forum.
“We thank President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and we salute the critical role that you are playing in the Petroleum Gas and Oil sector within and outside Africa.
“We greatly appreciate your recent donation of a power plant to support the oxygen production facility in our hospital,” he said.
Governor Eno spoke about the vision and passion of his administration to make Akwa Ibom a vibrant tourism hub in Nigeria through the ongoing construction of the ARISE Resort; the 5,000-seat Ibom Convention Centre; 200-room 14-Storey Ibom International Hotel and Ibom Shopping City, all for the comfort and recreational delight of tourists and investors in the State.
To welcome the visitors, with the Governor, were the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, members of the State Executive Council and other government officials.
