Governor Udom Emmanuel says St. Gabriel Virgin Coconut Oil Refinery at Ikot Akpan Oboh, Mkpat Enin local government area of Akwa Ibom State intends to engage the services of more than 1,500 personnel.
Emmanuel who stated this Wednesday during an inspection of the refinery factory under construction as part of activities marking the 31st Anniversary of the state creation noted that when operational, the facility would also engage the services of no fewer than 1,000 professionals.
He announced that about 350 persons from the host communities are currently employed at the feeder coconut plantation, remarking that his industrialisation drive would yield more benefits for the masses.
Emmanuel explained that there is a ready market awaiting the refined coconut oil, adding that the product, which is in high demand, would increase the state government’s revenue base.
Apart from coconut oil being in high demand, he noted that the raw material is also of great value as the finished products from the processed coconut would serve other useful purposes, maintaining that there are already mapped-out strategies to utilise every product of the refinery to maximise returns.
The Governor explained that there are plans to expand the 200-meter refinery to accommodate warehouses and lodging for some key personnel, and urged the people of the state to armed themselves with the requisite qualifications to secure employment opportunities on completion of the refinery.
Emmanuel maintained that his administration is not interested in political propaganda, adding, “I don’t know what people call politics. What I know is that in Akwa Ibom, we play politics of development to cater for the well-being of our people.”
Earlier, Engr. Francis Uwah, the project consultant, had explained that on completion, the factory would operate on three shifts per day to produce 22,000 metric tons of coconut oil, acknowledging that the arrangement would translate to the production of 66 metric tons of coconut oil daily.
Uwah stated that the left-over of the processed raw material would be converted to other subsidiary products for manure, power generation, furniture, activated charcoal factory, which is more viable than the parent factory (the coconut oil factory).
