Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has assured of the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Akwa Ibom State government to unlock the economic potential of gas resources in the state.
Ekpo stated this on Thursday during a courtesy visit by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno to his office at the NNPC Towers Abuja.
Eno who came in the company of the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong; former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Chief Asam Asam (SAN), Hon. Otobong Bob, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, MD, Hensek Integrated Services Limited, Uwem Okoko among others, said the visit was to show solidarity with Ekpo and solicit areas of cooperation in effectively harnessing the huge but untapped gas deposits in the state for economic development.
Said Eno: “We came here to respect you so that everyone will know that you are respected back home. We also came to see you as Minister of State for Gas because Akwa Ibom has one of the largest deposits of gas in Nigeria; we have come to partner with you because we want to drive investments into the Akwa Ibom gas sector.
We want to expand that opportunity, ensure that we benefit from these huge gas resources and build more infrastructure in the state. Akwa Ibom is ready and willing to work with you to develop our state and country at large.”
Ekpo in his response, thanked the Governor for sparing time from his tight schedule to visit him.
He noted that it was the first time an Akwa Ibom governor would pay a courtesy visit to a minister from the state and commended Eno for his disposition to work across party lines to foster peace and development in the state.
He particularly commended the Governor for the ongoing infrastructure upgrade of public schools in the state, among others.
The minister added that in the coming weeks, he would be visiting the state to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for a gas hub at Ibaka, Mbo LGA.
“Gas development is the way to go all over the world and I promise to work with your government to develop the gas resources in Akwa Ibom and all over the country,” said Ekpo.
Signed
Louis Ibah
A spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas).
April 18, 2024.
