The Chairman, Esit Eket local government council in Akwa Ibom, Mr Victor Isangedighe, has called on the state government to reactivate the Akwa Palm Industries, which was neglected for years into a flourishing enterprise for the state.

Isangedighe said in Uquok, the council headquarters that reactivating the company would create more than 1,500 new jobs in the state. He said the pressure on the local council for employment would reduce drastically if the state government could rehabilitate the abandoned oil palm enterprise.

The chairman appealed to the state government to evolve incentives needed to encourage core investors to take over the moribund company. The industries, if refurbished, will greatly assist the state to reduce unemployment, while boosting economic activities on Esit-Eket and the adjoining areas of Mbo and Eket”, he said.

Isangedighe expressed optimism that the reactivation of the Akwa Palm Industries would also facilitate the rural transformation programme of the state government. “with the planned seaport at Ibaka and the Ibom Industrial city, the resuscitation of Akwa Palm Industries is inevitable because of the proximity and ancillary service derivable from the seaport”, he maintained.

The AkwaPalm industries, which began operation in the early 90’s, had its palm estates and operational base at Etebi in the Esit-Eket Local Government Area. The agro-based company was supported by the world Bank and were manufacturing detergent, soap, polish, grease, brushes, cream, and other assorted products.