Wednesday February 4, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Akwa Ibom state Governor, Umo Eno, has commissioned 15 processing mills for oil and cassava in a bid to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth of the state.
The mills, located in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state, are expected to create jobs and enhance food security.
Our correspondent reports that the project which is under the Nigeria For Women Projects (NFWP), was part of Governor Eno’s efforts to diversify Akwa Ibom’s economy and improve the lives of its citizens.
Speaking during the commissioning at Ikot Omono village in Ukanafun Local Government Area on Monday, Eno vowed to turn the state to palm oil production haven.
The governor protected that the oil mills would be able to produce tons of oil that would be enough to be exported.
“I am delighted over the speedy completion of these projects in Ukanafun Local Government Area.
“We all know that oil palm was there before the discovery of the crude and it was a major commodity for export and it is still driving export till date.
”With these processing mills put into use, Akwa Ibom will become the haven of oil palm production. We will produce it in a larger quantity that would be enough for export.”
The Governor represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, urged the stakeholders in the area to take ownership of the facilities to preserve it from vandalism.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Helen Eno-Obareki, stated that the Palm Oil Mill Project in Oruk Anam is a strategic intervention designed to boost local production, create jobs, and empower women economically.
She expressed optimism that the project equip with modern equipment would reduce the stress level on women considering the suffering they passed through in processing oil palm.
Eno-Obareki further encouraged women to form and strengthen cooperative societies, explaining that registered cooperatives provide viable platforms for accessing government empowerment programmes and economic support initiatives.
“Women are the backbone of our communities. When women are organised, economically empowered, and politically aware, society thrives,” she said.
On his part, the Chairman of Oruk Anam, Elder Sunday Festus, praised Pastor Eno for the timely completion of the projects in the area.
He stated that the Governor has lived to his compagn promises by including the local government in the list of development, assuring that the area will not fail to support Pastor Eno, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Bola Tinubu in their second term bids.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas, urged women to make optimal use of the projects delivered to them
(Blueprint)
