The Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, has launched a paper converting factory equipped with new machines in Ikot Ekpene.

 

He praised the management of the company for their vision in undertaking the business venture, and promised to construct the road leading to the factory.

 

"This is a remarkable day in Akwa Ibom. It is a journey of a thousand miles which begins with one step. We have started the journey to employing and giving food to Akwa Ibom families," Akpabio said.

 

"That is why I am here to support this factory because I believe in years to come, the factory will blossom. I am here to underscore government commitment in industrialising the state. I urge you to not compromise quality in this business because the quality will encourage your work to be patronised.

 

"We must look for a way to encourage you for this place to expand. Our visit is to show that government is serious and determined to support indigenous industrial concerns in the state. And I believe that with the printing of exercise books here, it will help to educate our children the more."

 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Grace Iwok, said the ceremony was a demonstration that Akwa Ibom people in the private sector were willing and ready to support the present administration in achieving industrialisation in the state.

 

She added that the Governor's acceptance to commission the paper mill was a clarion call to well-meaning and highly placed indigenes of the state to consider investing in industrial ventures as their contribution to the socio-economic development of the state.

 

"Government has put in place critical infrastructure such as good road networks, Ibom Power Plant, Akwa Ibom International Airport, urban and rural water and electricity, among others. It now behoves the private sector to take advantage of this enabling industrial environment to establish industrial ventures and to produce good quality products for the local and international markets," Iwok said.

 

She urged the people to develop the spirit of investing in practical projects that have the capacity to create more wealth by giving them good returns on investment and generating sufficient employment opportunities for the people.