A'IBOM GOVT SOON TO OWN MODULAR REFINERY

Akwa Ibom State Government is putting down modalities for the establishment of its own Modular Refinery. 

The modular refinery is to be established in the State by the government in partnership with one of the oil companies operating in the State - Oriental Energy Resources Limited.

Dropping the hint recently in Uyo, the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Dr. John James Etim, said, the plan would be strongly considered, as part of measures towards business diversification by Oriental Energy Resources Ltd and pledged Government's readiness to partner the company towards the successful accomplishment of the proposal.

Dr. John James Etim, who was speaking during a courtesy visit to him by the Management of Oriental Energy Resources used the opportunity to inform them of the availability of a state of the art edifice, Dakkada Towers, constructed by the State Government for its elite investors, urged the company to acquire part of the Smart building for its corporate headquarters.

While applauding the oil company for its laudable Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in its host communities, Dr. Etim commended them for the importance attached to the building of human relationships.

He expressed appreciation to the company for keying into the Completion Agenda of the State Government in the areas of education, health, skill acquisition, employment generation and housing, reiterating that the Programmes have greatly curtailed youth restiveness, vandalism, road blocks and the likes in the benefiting communities. 

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Valerie Obot, while tasking the Management of Oriental Energy, to ensure that all their oil servicing companies pay their taxes into the coffers of Akwa Ibom State Government, she intimated them of the existence of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which every oil company operating in the State was expected to adopt.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Oriental Energy Resources, Engr. Ignatius Ifelayo, speaking through his General Manager, Mr. Augustine Ekeigine, commended the state Government on the peaceful coexistence enjoyed in the State. 

He spoke of his company's diversification plans and readiness to partner the government in the establishment of a Modular Refinery as well as the desire to take up an office space in a section of the Dakkada Towers, to become a first tenant to occupy the 21 Storey smart building.

Also speaking, Head, Community Relations & Public Affairs, of the company, Dr. Uwem Ite, enumerated the numerous CSR programmes in the host communities to include: a 200 Annual Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme; training and equipping of youths in various skills; an annual free health care service and the renovation of a Primary School in Effiat Community.

Others are the installation of a Printing Press, owned and managed by the communities, thereby, creating employment for the youths; a well equipped Science Laboratory at Community Secondary School, Eghughu (soon to be commissioned) and the Construction of Oriental Estate at Ibaka, of a 100 Unit One Bedroom Flats, to be allotted free to indigenes of Oron Nation.

The team from Oriental Energy Resources were later shown round the Dakkada Towers.

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