Akwa Ibom Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship aspirant, Pastor David Okpon, has identified spiritual embargo as killer of industrial growth in the state.
Okpon, who stated this while addressing PDP faithful, during his consultation visit to the Ward 2 Secretariat of the party in Uyo on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, called for lifting of the spiritual embargo.
A clergyman in Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s House on The Rock, he also mentioned wrong economic policies, corruption, greed, poor management and infrastructural deficit as some issues that should be blamed for these failed companies.
Straightnews learnt that Sunshine Batteries in Essien Udim, ALSCON in Ikot Abasi, Quality Ceramics in Itu, Peacock Paints in Etinan, Qua Steel Industry in Eket, Plastocrown in Uyo, Biscuit Factory in Ikot Ekpene to Abestonic Industries in Oron are lying waste and have been abandoned by successive governments over the years.
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Attempts by Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration to revive the Peacock Paint can be adjudged fruitless as the company still lies dormant and inoperative.
Again, a good number of the over 15 industries brought to the state by the present government in the last seven years are either not productive or have been shut.
Beyond infrastructure and economic policies, the governorship aspirant believes that there are also some spiritual concerns that need to be addressed for the state to grow above being what he described as a consumer state.
The Pastor insisted that irrespective of the number of industries built in the state, none would work unless a certain ‘spiritual embargo’ is lifted.
“Unless this issue is addressed spiritually, companies may never work in this state. No matter the number of industries established on this faulty foundation, the story will be the same,” he said.
Okpon who mentioned an array of failed industries in the state in the past 30 years, wondering why no government has thought it necessary to set up a panel to investigate the cause behind the failure of these vast moribund industries before establishing more.
“As a pastor and an intercessor, I and my team have been praying for the growth of this state for the last 27 years. We have been to locations of all those factories that have failed to pray and ask God for help. God has revealed to us the way out. I have the solution,” Okpon declared.
Okpon who described the state as the determiner of the fate of the country, said that Nigeria may never progress if the state does not assume its rightful place.
“Akwa Ibom is like a first born. We were the first to settle in the geographical expression called Nigeria. We carry the priesthood of this nation. This state will determine the fate of Nigeria. When the amalgamation of the Northern and the Southern protectorate which made Nigeria what is today was signed, it was done in Ikot Abasi.
“Nigeria is waiting for Akwa Ibom State. Spiritually, Akwa Ibom is the head. If this state does not take its rightful place, this country will continue running in circles. The moment we get our acts right here and things begin to work, you will see changes in Nigeria. I know what to do,” he said.
The clergyman cum politician, however, noted that for him to bring about the solution which he said was divinely revealed to him, he has to be on the saddle as Governor of the state in 2023 and urged the party members as well as the masses to support his ambition.
Executive members of the party who took turns to respond, thanked the aspirant for finding time to identify with them. They all expressed their readiness to support him to clinch the PDP’s Governorship ticket.
