EKET
Kayora premium purified water has hit the market as Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, commissioned the water plant.
Governor Eno, while declaring the Kaybi Beverage Industries Limited, makers of Kayora Premium Water open, recently, at the old Dr. Pepper plant in Eket, commended the chief executive officer, Dr. Olukayode Awosika, for choosing Akwa Ibom, and described the move as a vote of confidence in his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Eno reaffirmed that no local government area has been left behind in his infrastructural drive, said, “We are constructing roads and opening up rural communities to enhance access. Today, there is no local government area without government presence through one project or the other.
“Our job is to provide the enabling environment. Your job is to invest, create jobs, and grow,” the governor said, noting that the powerful symbolism of the location, as decades ago, the same premises bottled the once-popular Dr. Pepper drink.
He added that now a new generation of entrepreneurs, led by Dr. Awosika and MD/COO Dr. Ebi Awosika, is reviving the site with a vision to build “a world-class beverage company operating from Akwa Ibom and serving the world.”
“This is not a coincidence; it is a divine arrangement,” Eno said, adding, “What’s happening here speaks to vision, continuity, and enterprise. This investment will be protected, and it will impact lives.”
Drawing from his own background in hospitality, the governor pointed to the massive unmet demand for quality water in Nigeria and pledged government support to help Kaybi scale, while expressing optimism that with the caliber of minds behind the project there was no doubt that Kayora will meet international standards.
Speaking separately, Dr. Olukayode Awosika and Dr. Ebi Awosika said the governor’s development blueprint directly influenced their decision to site the plant in Eket.
“The Arise Agenda and its visible impact gave us confidence. His Excellency has created the enabling environment we needed”.
The chairman of Eket Local Government Council, Hon. Akaniyene Tommey, welcomed the investment, confirming that a recent tour of the facility showed lives already changing.
“This business has transformed and has lifted many families out of poverty through employment and economic opportunities. Kaybi is safe in Eket, and we will support it to achieve its vision,” Tommey assured.
The paramount ruler of Eket, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, also thanked the governor for his presence and for “numerous life-touching projects” across Eket.
The Eket Monarch, himself an entrepreneur, recalled that about 30 years ago, the then governor of Cross River State, Dr. Clement Isong, commissioned his beverage company, Dr. Pepper Bottling Company Ltd, saying, “Today we have the honour of having another governor, now in a new state, come to commission Kayora Premium bottled water plant, which is by far better than the Dr. Pepper plant in terms of technology.”
The event was graced by distinguished personalities including the State deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakeneyi; AKHA speaker, Elder Udeme Otong; Secretary to State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Senator Helen Esuene; Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson.
Also present were the dean of Commissioners, Mkpisong Frank Archibong; ALGON chairman and chairman of Uyo Local Government, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo; Member for Eket State Constituency, Hon. Nsidibe Akata, PhD; commissioner for power, Rt. Hon. Iniobong Robson; commissioner for sports, Elder Paul Bassey; Eket Senatorial District Political Leader of APC, Chief Assam Assam, SAN; Chief Nduese Essien former MP and Minister of Housing, Pastor Victor Edon, Eket Senatorial District Chairman of APC, Dr. and Mrs. Nelly Ukpong; husband of the APC candidate for Eket Federal Constituency, Engr. Sam Ekpenyong, and many others.
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