Mixed Reactions As Udom Plans To Complete Ibom Science Park Project

Mixed reactions have continued to greet the recent plan by the Akwa Ibom State government, to continue from the where the abandoned Ibom Science Park Project Stopped.
The multi- billion naira project, was initiated during Victor Attah’s second term, but was abandoned by his predecessor, Godsill Akpabio.
Those who spoke with our correspondent, believe that the project, would have signalled a practical step to the state’s technological take – off and job creation in in Akwa Ibom.
Dr. Ephraim Etim, an electrical/electronic consultant, while reacting to questions from our correspondent, said the state would have reached a milestone on the industrial revolution by now, “if we had focused, responsible and sincere leadership after ObongAttah.”
He reasoned that the ongoing industrialisation agenda of the present administration was a window dressing. “Industrialisation is not building factories and commissioning warehouses, but developing and sustaining the capacity to change raw material to finished products, both for subsistent consumption and for export.
“If senator Akpabio had not abandoned that project, by now, we would be talking about industrialisation, but we would have been located in the world’s industrial map. So if Gov. Udom Emmanuel is sincere about industrialisation, he should drop political interests and focus in the project.”
Again, a former senior lecturer of the department of Computer Science, in the old Polytechnic Calabar, Dr. Effiong Udobong expressed pessimism in the state government’s plan to begin the project. According to him, Akwa Ibom State government does not seem to have a clear template for the development of the state. “The so-called industrialisation is a plot to use the state money for private investments.
Speaking further, he frowned at what he described as “executive fraud,” where the state government, between 2015 and now, has performed groundbreaking ceremonies of over seventeen industries, only to abandoned them after commissioning, except the syringe factory in Onna. ‘This government is known for its culture for abandonment of projects, so I am not excited about the whole stuff. If Gov. Udom was serious and focused, he should have concentrated on a few industries and take them to a meaningful stage of completion!!
However, when contacted, the state commissioner of Science and Technology, Dr. Iniobong Essien said the state government has concluded plans for the commencement of the project. According to him the state government and a Chinese conglomerate, known as Blue Sea and Industrial Park will expand the ultra-modern science and industries park with world class facilities in the state.
Speaking further, he said the blue sea International Holding group Company Ltd was coming into the project with an investment sum of 1.5 billion Euros and that the science park will also be a place where a number of applications will be designed to help people solve problems.
According to him, other components of park will include primary, secondary and tertiary institution’s which will be all technology based. “The blue sea company will give funds for the building of the project, while the state government will provide enabling environment”.Set featured image