A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Akwa Ibom has called on the government to establish a 30-50 Year Long-Term Development Master Plan for the state.
Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono, the Founder of Open Forum, said as inputs for the state 2026 Budget, ‘‘We want to, once again, re-emphasise our advocacy for the establishment for a 30-50 Year Long-Term Development Master Plan for the state.’’
‘‘Advanced countries were not built on annual budgets and low-level inputs by ordinary citizens, but long term plans put together by teams of experts, coordinated centrally by a high-powered committee. The type of development Akwa Ibom State requires cannot be put together based on random views expressed by locals at a few-hour Town Hall meetings that often end up being more partisan and political than socio-economic.
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‘‘We believe it will be to the credit of the administration of Pst. Umo Eno if a crack-team of global intellectuals, best brains and thinkers are put together to develop the first ever long term economic development masterplan that would have the capacity to transform Akwa Ibom State to a First World State in a Third World Country. We believe the Akwa Ibom Dream of a State excellence is possible.’’
On the proposed launch of Akwa Ibom Geographical Information System Agency, Okono described it as ‘‘a good initiative. We advocate that this project should be preceded by the enactment of a Land Policy for the State. At the rate we are going as a people, in a couple of years from now a great of Akwa Ibomites may become landless, tenants, and or find it hard to have access to their inheritance which are being sold off daily to strangers, no thanks mass poverty and the concentration of resources in few a hands year-in, year-out because of selfish political patronages.’’
Describing the initiative to seek marginal fields for oil and gas business as apt, he advocated ‘‘We advocate for it to include gas and solid mineral exploration. Hence, it be called; Oil, Gas and Solid Mineral Exploration Company.
The President of the forum also advocated the establishment of Ibom Oil and Gas Producing Communities Development Commission, saying ‘‘This will help address development needs of such communities as well as foster a sense of belonging and fairness.
‘‘With the benefit of hindsight, the demand state creation by some council areas in the state is due to marginalization. As we demand for justice for Akwa Ibom State from the Federal Government, we must deal fairly with council areas in the state which have been evidently marginalised in terms of development. There are others, particularly boundary communities who are at the mercies of violent neighbours. The State should come to their aid in resolving such issues.
On the development of the solid mineral sector, Okono described Governor Umo Eno’s statement about the State having comparative advantage in the solid mineral sector would receive attention to further diversify Akwa Ibom’s economy.
‘‘We find this statement encouraging, considering the lack of interest in the sector over the years. It is disheartening to know that the State in the last seven years does not participate in international conferences hosted by Ministry of Solid Mineral Development and organized by Miners Association of Nigeria (MAON).
Akwa Ibom State was specifically invited to the 2024 Edition of the Miners Week as a Special Guest of Honour. Sadly, the State was not represented. We understand that the last time Akwa Ibom State participated in the Miners Week was in 2019.
‘‘Meanwhile, illegal foreign miners are from reports smiling to the bank despite repeated reports in the media of their illegal activities in the state.
‘‘Interestingly, a Solid Mineral Consultant Engr. Pius Ebong hosted on Open Forum with Citizen MKO on Memories 96.5FM in December 2024 revealed that Akwa Ibom State has a Geoscientific database that highlights the locations of Solid Mineral Evaluation in the State which serves as an investor’s guide.
‘‘The guide is said to have been put together by a technical team led by Prof Nse Essien. The cheering news is that the State which was ranked No. 31 in solid mineral development was thus moved to No.15 in ranking. Additionally, an Akwa Ibom son, Senator Ekong Sampson is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals at the National Assembly.
‘‘The State should exploit the opportunity to make progress in the development of the solid mineral sector to boost her economy. Local investors should be encouraged by government to take charge of the sector, else foreign miners will dominate with attendant capital flight and the state will be onlookers,’’ he added.
