Akwa Ibom govt signs deal with Singapore firm on agriculture and infrastructure development

Akwa Ibom State Government has signed an agreement with a Singaporean investor, Ashdene Associates Nigeria for infrastructure and agricultural development.

The deal was sealed by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang, his counterparts in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Mathew Ekaette and Chairman, Committee on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Dr. Gabriel Ukpe on behalf of the state government while the country Director, Dr. Patrick Adiel signed for Ashdene Associates Nigeria.

The State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in his remarks after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Government House, Uyo reiterated his administration’s commitment to laying a formidable economic foundation to fast-track even development of the state.

Governor Emmanuel, who described Ashdene Group as a development partner reputed for its world acclaimed investment record in about twenty nine countries said, the company has decided to work with the state government in its drive to develop agriculture and industrialize the state.

“I commend you for making Akwa Ibom the destination of your investment and your decision to collaborate with the state in the area of investment in addition to infrastructural consolidation and expansion,” he said.

He commended the company’s decision to set up a rice farm alongside a processing mill at Ini Local Government Area, establishment of coconut plantation and construction of roads in communities of operation as part of its social responsibilities assuring of his administration’s commitment to provide a conducive business environment for their venture.

According to him, “I want to assure you that, this is a government that is investors’ friendly; our policies, strategies centre on investments. Be rest assured that the responsibility of government in the agreement signed would be duly executed.

“We are not ignorant of the environment that you need for investment to grow and we are determined to create the right opportunity for your investment to thrive”.

Earlier, the Country Director of Ashdene Associates Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Adiel said, the company which is faith based and a non profit organization was in the state to explore the abundant agricultural resources to help create wealth and provide employment opportunities for the people promising that, the company would swing into action after the signing of the agreement for the rice project covering ten hectares of land within which about $100 million (one hundred million Dollars) would be invested in the Coconut Plantation and Refinery project as well as road construction as part of their corporate social responsibility to the communities.

Dr. Adiel, thanked the state Government for partnering the organization in its development programmes and assured that every project earmarked for execution would be completed within 14 months.

Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang, his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Mathew Ekaette and Chairman, Committee on Foreign Direct Investment, Dr. Gabriel Ukpe in their separate remarks, commended the Governor for his determination to improve the state’s economy through the new partnership saying that, it was a step in the right direction.

Dr. Ekaette said that rice farming which has been at a subsistence level would witness a leap with the firm approaching cultivation with the right technological inputs, and expressed optimism that, the revenue profile of the state would increase as the state would soon join the league of exporters of agricultural products.

Also, Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem expressed the hope that the event would signal a great opportunity for the people of the state.