By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
A former president of Nigeria has identified industrialisation as the way forward in the quest for the stability of the nation.
Dr Goodluck Johnathan stated this, Tuesday, when he led a team of investors from Preheat Energies on a business visit to the Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno at Government House, Uyo.
Jonathan described Akwa Ibom as a “Safe Haven” for investment, noting that the State is very promising due to the environment, and the commitment of successive governors to good governance.
He said the choice of Akwa Ibom by Preheat Energies was borne out of the State’s focus on development and peace, saying, “Akwa Ibom is peaceful and without peace there can be no development.When the group came to me and asked that I facilitate their coming here, I said that Akwa Ibom is one State that I like to visit.
“Preheat Energy indicated their interest for investment in gas, I know that Akwa Ibom has gas for domestic use and, of course, power generation. And with the commitment of the government, we have already handed over the thing to the relevant ministries and I believe that this project will take off very fast.
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, appreciated the former President for his love and interest in Akwa Ibom, and for leading the team to invest in the State.
Eno, who described the former president as a man of peace, stated that Akwa Ibom is indeed one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria to do business.
He assured that the state government would provide necessary support to enable a smooth take-off of the Preheat Energies project, even as the State looks forward to working with them, with Ibom Industrial City already located around the site earmarked for the setting up of the Ibom Deep Seaport, and the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone.
The governor expressed believe that the area will provide the kind of site needed by Preheat Energies, noting that a lot of organisations have approached his government for business opportunities, but government wants to ensure that the right people are identified, as they go into the gas business.
Eno assured that government will provide land for the company because of the delegation led by the former president, saying, “I am not used to too much words, but I think I can only tell you that this is the safest place to be and do business. We are one of the most peaceful states in this country. We have good infrastructure, and you can use our good road network too.
“From any local government to Uyo, the State capital, is a maximum of one hour. We have one of the best road networks in this country, outside Abuja, and you will find Akwa Ibom people very hospitable.
“We trust that this relationship will continue as we begin this journey today, and I ask that you should please feel at home, we will not disappoint you”.
The governor, on the occasion, invited the former president to the commissioning of the 1.3kilometer, 8meterdeep 2x2x0.3meters underground flood control tunnel along Atiku Abubakar Way, and the reconstructed section of Atiku AbubakarWay with street light as well as Afaha Ube Street, all in Uyo.
In his presentation, the vice president of Preheat Energies, Azibaola Robert, said they have been in business for over five years with partners across the globe, and that given the current climate change experience, there is need to deemphasisethe use of fossil fuel and concentrate on LNG with gas as its major component.
Robert said the Niger Delta region has good deposit of gas which, he noted, has not been adequately explored for the benefit of the people, assuring that the investment when it takes off, will create jobs and other opportunities for Akwa Ibom people and others.
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