Our reporter
The exit of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing and Kings Flour Mill from Akwa Ibom has jolted Governor Umo Eno’s administration, raising suspicion over the relationship between the government and the companies.
Jubilee Manufacturing Syringe, Awa in ONNA and Kings Flour Mill, Mkpok Okat in ONNA Local Government Area were attracted to Àkwa Ibom State by ex-Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Jubilee Syringe was commissioned by Nigeria’s ex-Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo on September 23, 2017, while Flour Mill was also inaugurated by Osibanjo on 21 September, 2019.
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Though Jubilee Syringe stopped production many months ago, it finally announced that its operations came to an end on December 31, 2022, which, according to it, had “to implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.”
A memo addressed to all workers of the company, stated that all positions including “yours have been placed on temporary redundancy effective January 1, 2024.”
However, Kings Flour Mill did not officially announce its exit from the state.
Speaking during the commissioning of 14. 8km internal roads and spurs with a 1.9km discharge drains in Awa, ONNA Local Government Area on Monday, September 21, 2026, Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said the industries were not owned by the government but by individuals.
“If they left, and did not approach the government you cannot meddle with their business. If they had a problem, they should have reported to the government for solution.
“I cannot meddle with what I do not know. If the industries have a problem, let meet the Commissioner for Special Duties who is an ONNA son. Tell him the problem so that I would know what to answer,” the Governor advised.
On the rumour that he reported his predecessor to EFCC doe probe, he dispelled the report as fake news.
Eno urged residents to disregard unfounded utterances and unsubstantiated statements being circulated to misinform the public and create confusion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On the road project, he said the project was very special to him, given its location in his predecessor’s home community, adding that he personally chose to commission the project as a mark of honour and respect for his political father, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
The Governor noted that some people were bent on creating a rift between him and his predecessor, but assured that despite political differences, he will continue to respect and work with his predecessor.
He acknowledged that his predecessor was a sacrificial leader who sited projects in many other locations and sometimes forgot himself, stressing that it was, therefore, incumbent upon him to complete the internal roads in Awa began by him.
The Governor commended the stakeholders and people of ONNA Local Government Area, especially the Chairman, Mr. Kufre Umoren, for their support and endorsement.
He noted that 26 projects were at different stages of completion in ONNA local government area, with numerous political appointees including Mr. Emem Bob, the Commissioner for Finance whose duty also covers the Ministry of Special Duties, Accountant-General, Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien, Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerete Udoh, and Chief Photographer to the governor, Idara Adiakpan.
Governor Eno assured that he would continue to work with the people of the area to enhance their development and that of the State generally.
Speaking on a reported damage of roads in the area by heavy duty trucks, the Governor said government will interface with those responsible on September 28, and warned them against taking law into their hands.
He also announced plans to mount a toll gate which would be free for all road users except the heavy duty vehicles that will pay fees for road maintenance.
The Governor commended the people of ONNA for their warm reception, and assured of more life-touching projects in the years ahead.
Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga described the commissioning as historic for him, recalling that it was the first major project he handled after his appointment as Commissioner in the last administration.
Ibanga commended Governor Umo Eno for being intentional about ensuring the completion of the road, expressing happiness that the 14.8 internal roads project had finally been completed.
Earlier, the Chairman of ONNA Local Government Area, Mr. Kufre Umoren, had commended Governor Eno for not only constructing roads in ONNA but other numerous projects including a primary health centre, a model primary school, compassionate homes for the less privileged and many more.
Umoren pledged to work with other stakeholders, and the people generally to reciprocate the good gestures of the Governor by coming out en masse to vote for his re-election in 2027.
In their separate goodwill messages, the political leader of ONNA, Hon. Pat Ifon; Member representing ONNA State Constituency, Hon. Sunday Johnny; Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Emem Bob; former member of the Federal House of Representative, Hon. Owoidighe Ekpoatai, and the Paramount Ruler of ONNA, HRM Edidem Raymond Inyang, appreciated the Governor for improving the quality of life of the people of the area by giving them quality roads and other infrastructure.
They also assured the Governor of their support and that of the local government by ensuring overwhelming victory for APC in the 2027 elections.
