The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has rejected allegations by Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) of lopsided distribution of employment opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector in Akwa Ibom State.
Ekpo, through his spokesman, Louis Ibah, said the document upon which MMI based its allegation did not emanate from his office and carried neither the official letterhead nor seal of the Minister’s office.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ibah expressed disappointment that MMI, which he described as a respected socio-cultural organisation committed to the peace, unity and collective interests of Akwa Ibom State, would base its position on an unauthenticated document.
The Minister, however, said he continued to hold MMI in high esteem and recognised its role in the socio-cultural development of the Ibibio people and Akwa Ibom State.
Ekpo described himself as a “deeply detribalised” Akwa Ibom person, noting that his traditional appellation, Obongemem, reflected his commitment to peace, unity and prosperity.
According to him, his record in public service demonstrates that he has never approached his responsibilities through the prism of ethnicity or political affiliation.
The Minister said that although his mandate as a member of the Federal Executive Council was national, he remained committed to securing meaningful development and economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom, one of Nigeria’s major gas-producing states.
He cited the recent Federal Government grassroots LPG intervention in the state, which he said resulted in the distribution of 27,000 gas cylinders across the 31 local government areas and ₦100,000 each to 3,000 beneficiaries, representing ₦300 million in support for livelihoods and small businesses, particularly agriculture.
Ekpo also highlighted his efforts toward expanding CNG infrastructure in the state, including mother and daughter stations and conversion facilities. He said a daughter station at the University of Uyo was ready for inauguration in October.
The Minister further disclosed that he facilitated ₦20 billion in MDGIF financing for Nsik Oil and Gas Limited’s 10 MMSCF/D gas mother station in Esit Eket Local Government Area.
He added that Guelph Gas Limited secured financing for a 3 MMSCF/D CNG mother station and two daughter stations in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, with the projects collectively valued at about ₦16 billion.
According to him, the projects, expected to be completed in 2027, would create hundreds of jobs, reduce transportation costs and strengthen Akwa Ibom’s energy security.
He also listed the Windek Energy Limited 20,000-metric-tonne LPG depot at Atabrikang-Aquaha in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, within the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone, as another major intervention expected to improve LPG storage and distribution while creating employment opportunities.
Ekpo further pointed to a $3.5 billion gas infrastructure and industrialisation agreement involving the Akwa Ibom State Government, NNPC Limited and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN), which he said was facilitated through his office.
He also disclosed that, through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), modern ICT centres had been constructed and furnished in communities across Etinan, Oron, Ika, Uyo, Itu, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Esit Eket, Ikono and Essien Udim, with additional projects in the pipeline.
The Minister stressed that the projects and initiatives were not targeted at any particular senatorial district or ethnic group, but were designed to create jobs, increase the state’s economic output, deepen industrialisation and expand opportunities for Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians generally.
On appointments, Ekpo said his record also demonstrated his commitment to inclusive representation.
He cited the appointment of Mr Edet Ubong from Uyo Local Government Area to the Governing Council of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), following his recommendation, as well as the appointments of Mr Kufre Sam from Eket as Special Adviser on Political Affairs; Mr Odiong Ekanem from Itu as Technical Adviser on NNPC Ltd Relations; Dr Blessing Samuel from Uyo as Chief of Protocol; and Mr Ubong Umana from Esit Eket as Protocol Officer.
Ekpo said these appointments, among others, showed that his responsibilities and decisions were not restricted to his senatorial district.
He, however, expressed concern that despite what he described as numerous interventions, projects, facilitations and appointments in Akwa Ibom, MMI had not acknowledged or commended the efforts.
He described the group’s reliance on an unverified, internet-sourced list to make allegations against his office as unfair and urged the organisation to consider his broader record of service to the state.
The Minister called on the leadership of MMI to uphold the ideals of its founding fathers by promoting peace, ethnic unity, responsible leadership and prosperity in Akwa Ibom State.
He also cautioned socio-cultural organisations against making statements capable of fuelling ethnic suspicion, division or bigotry, particularly at a time when Governor Umo Eno was working to sustain peaceful coexistence in the state.
Ekpo reaffirmed his commitment to working with Governor Eno for the development of Akwa Ibom and the wellbeing of its people.
He also expressed readiness to engage constructively with MMI and other stakeholders committed to the peace, unity and development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
By Ndifreke Bassey