AK Partners Belgium On Sea Port Development

Akwa Ibom State Government says it is ready to partner with the kingdom of Belgium in the development of the deep sea port at Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area.
Governor Godswill Akpabio, represented by his deputy, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, made this known when he received the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michel Dewez on a courtesy call at the Government House, Uyo.
The Governor said the kingdom of Belgium “well noted for commerce, maritime trade, high technology, industries as well as being the headquarters of the European Union is dear to the heart of Akwa Ibom people.
He challenged Akwa Ibom sons and daughters in the diaspora to emulate the good example of Efanga Peter Essien, leader of the Ibibio community in Belgium who sponsored development projects which the Ambassador came to inaugurate in the State.
Chief Akpabio vowed that his administration will continue to expand the frontiers of development and strive to collapse the traditional boundaries between local governments and tribes by developing the whole state into what he termed “one big city state”.
Mentioning that the development of the State would be anchored on his administration’s free education policy meant to give citizens a positive direction, he urged the ambassador to employ his title of “Ufan Akwa Ibom” to project Akwa Ibom State and its people, positively to the outside world.
Chief Akpabio also urged Ambassador Dewez to assist in facilitating a meeting between the state government and Belgian industrialists in order to discuss areas of cooperation.
Ambassador Michel Dewez who conveyed the good wishes of the Belgian king and people said he was in Akwa Ibom to witness the inauguration of water projects undertaken by the Ibibio community in Belgium.
While pleading to work for the sustenance of Nigeria – Belgium cooperation, the ambassador also expressed willingness to work toward the creation of a lasting partnership between his country and Nigeria in various fields of endeavour.
The courtesy call also witnessed the presentation of a plague with the inscription “Ufan Akwa Ibom” to the Belgian Ambassador by the International Coordinator of the Akwa Ibom Peoples Forum, AKPF, Bishop Samuel Akpan.
Bishop Akpan who was accompanied by top members of the AKPF said the plague was an expression of love and affection to the king and people of Belgium, especially for the warm reception accorded him when he stormed the European capital to inaugurate AKPF chapter.
The state government had earlier hosted the Belgian Ambassador and chieftains of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, led by a National Commissioner, Barr. V. C. Chukwuani, who were in the state for a South-South zonal examination to a cock-tail party at the Le’Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf resort.