Akwa Ibom State government and the Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited based in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of the State have gone into partnership for the development of Rural Communities in the state.
The deal was made when the governor, pastor Umo Eno and a delegation from the company embarked on a facility tour of the ongoing construction of CKS Model Primary School, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.
Conducting the delegation round the project which is nearing completion, Governor Eno appealed to the organisation and others in the state to partner in the execution of the model schools, farms, markets, roads, health care facilities and other laudable ARISE Agenda projects, noting that such collaboration would enhance development in the rural communities to underscore the pivot of his administration’s blueprint.
“Sterling Petro-Chemicals Eastern Obolo are building a very large Petro-chemical Plant in Akwa Ibom so we’re partnering as government in providing the enabling environment in the community for them to do their business.
” I used the opportunity to also ask them to support the ARISE agenda through their corporate social responsibility by adopting one of our projects in the area where they operate whether it’s a model school, health centre or a market, we’ll like to see them do something.
“We’ll talk with other Corporate Organisations. Our people must be gainfully employed, our young people, our children must be well groomed because they represent the future and I feel as cooperate organisations come into the state, they key into what we’re doing for their names to be written in gold.
The governor who acknowledged the modest contributions of the company in the development of their operational communities was however emphatic that he was not soliciting funds for the projects but actual participation by the companies operating in the State in the A. R. I. S. E. Agenda project execution, stressing that the initiative will open doors of employment to the youths as well as grow the State economy.
Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Mehit acknowledged the giant strides of Governor Umo Eno-led administration in barely few months of its tenure, describing the initiative as remarkable.
He said the company is committed to the realization of the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda which centres on development at the grassroots, assuring that the company would take up one of the projects for execution to enliven the social environment in their areas of operation.
Mr Mahit hinted that the company is undertaking projects at the Western and Eastern axis of Eastern Obolo LGA and would, as part of its corporate social responsibility, spread its development projects to other parts of the State by creating infrastructure.