The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, says that Federal Government has made provision of N1 billion in the 2017 budget for the development of Ibaka deep seaport in Akwa Ibom.
Mr. Osinbajo said this in Uyo on Thursday while addressing a Townhall meeting of the government and people of the state. The acting president’s visit was part of his consultation with people in the Niger Delta on how to maximise the gains of oil resources in the region.
The acting president, who was responding to myriads of complaints and requests by the people, said that budgetary provisions had also been made for the Itu – Calabar federal highway in 2016. Mr. Osinbajo said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was working with Amnesty Office to accommodate more youth from Akwa Ibom into the Amnesty Programme.
“I have heard all the requests. We must trust and give this government the patience that is required to put things right.
“We are working on modular refineries. Power stations must be established here. We must make our oil producing communities hub of petrochemical and gas industries.
“We must attract private investments. The biggest benefit is to attract more private investments to the state,” Mr. Osinbajo advised.
The acting president regretted that the blessings of oil wealth had not touched the majority of the people in the oil bearing communities. He said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was working on several incentives for the oil producing communities.
Mr. Osinbajo also directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to liaise with the oil multinationals operating in the state on the modalities to relocate their headquarters following repeated requests.
The acting president promised to partner with the state government to establish technology hub in the state while advising the people to be resourceful and innovative.
