The moribund Ibom Science Park sited in the heart of Uyo and wholly owned by Akwa Ibom Government was, Wednesday, given a lease of life 18 years after its incorporation.
The Victor Attah administration that ruled from 1999 to 2007 initiated the project with a sum of N6 billion for completion in two years though it was alleged that the contractor collected N5.2 billion and bolted, leaving the park located on an expanse of 122 hectares in Afaha Oku, Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital to rot away.
The signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Akwa Ibom State Government and SERGE Capital Investment Limited gave hope of resuscitation of Ibom Science and Technology Park signposted as a centre of research for universities, create an enabling environment for capacity building in high-tech industries and services.
Governor Udom Emmanuel who was represented by Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government and Information and Communication Technology expert, hinted that Park is receiving priority attention from his Government as science and technology is the underpin of development across the world.
Emmanuel said at the event held in the Governor’s conference room that in reviving the Ibom Science and Technology Park, the state would adopt a bottom-up approach to ensure that those incubated at the park move up to set up cottage industries in the local communities.
He said the initiative is geared towards enhancing the human empowerment agenda of the State Government and promised the investors of Government’s cooperation and support in the completion of the project.
Prof. Nse Essien, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, who described the event as epochal, noting that the signing of the MOU is a culmination of a series of discussion with the investors to complete the park.
Essien whose ministry will supervise the park pledged Governor Emmanuel’s determination to make Akwa Ibom State a front line State in science and technology, stating that when completed, the park would open a window of vast opportunities for young scientists and innovators.
Mr. Greg Todd, the President of SERGE Capital Investment Limited, an Australian-based firm with Chinese affiliation said they would combine resources from Australia, China and the local communities to develop a world-class model for industry, agriculture, infrastructure and trade.
Todd assured that his outfit is ready to reinvent the operational philosophy of the science park in conformity with world leading technologies in order to ensure sustainable development of economic, environmental and social sectors of the State.
He and Mrs. Sally Conoid, the Company Secretary of SERGE Capital Investment Limited, signed the MOU for the company while Prof. Nse Essien, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Elijah Akpan, the Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP), Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, the Chairman of Foreign Direct Investment in the State, and Mrs. Eno Offiong, the Permanent Secretary in the office of Secretary to the State Government, signed on behalf of the State Government.
The event featured a presentation of some inventions by Mr. Nse Esu, an Akwa Ibom budding scientist and innovator. Some of the inventions presented include, Electric Source Indicator, Automatic Source Control System, Automatic Change Over Switch, Solar Charge Controller, Automatic Water Pump Control Switch and Generator Shutdown System.
Ibom Science Park was conceived to stimulate employment generation and also create wealth for people in the state. The Ibom Science Park was incorporated by Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council, AKIIPOC now AKIICORP on October 20, 2005 as a private limited liability company.
The Park was granted Export Free Trade Zone status on July 14, 2006 was originally incubated by the defunct Bureau for Science and Technology in the office of the Governor.
In 2014, the Bureau upgraded to a full-fledged ministry initialled the Science and Technology Park with Information and Communication Technology, ICT, as a major component.
