...commends Gov. Udom Emmanuel
By Mfonobong Ukpong
Members of the House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation and Finance today undertook an inspection visit to the 15,000 hectare Coconut Plantation, sited in three local government areas of Mkpat-Enin, Ikot Abasi and Eastern-Obolo.
The plantation which is one of the pet project of Governor Udom Emmanuel's industrialization programme will also have a coconut refinery sited in the farm. Briefing the lawmakers at the plantation, the lead project consultant, Mr. Johan Swart, a South-African who is of consulting firm, H Oil and Food Consulting (PTY) Ltd, based in Kwazulu -Natal, South Africa Director, told the lawmakers that So far about 600 hectare of land has been cleared by the company, and disclosed that 8,600 seed nuts have been planted on the land from the last count. He said planting of coconut seedlings is ongoing at the farm.
On the expected staff strength that would be employed to run the plantation and refinery, Mr. Swart told the Assembly committee that 5000 Akwa Ibom people will be employed in the company, adding that so far 170 indigenes of the host community have been engaged to work in the plantation.
The committee inspected the plantation and as well as the newly acquired machines procured by the state government for clearing of the l land and for seedling planting .
Reacting, Chairman of the House committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, said the purpose of the visit was to enable the committee ascertain the actual amount of money expended by government on the project, and to verify if funds released for the execution of the projects as appropriated for in the 2016 budget have been judiciously spent.
Members of the committee took time ask questions bordering on the current state of the project and demanded to know the actual amount of money sunk into the coconut plantation. Following the inability of the consultant to give details of how much he has received and exact amount of money expended on the project, the committee Chairman, Hon. Usoro gave Mr. Swart to between today and Friday this week to furnish his committee with details of financial expenditure expended by his firm on the project to enable the legislature have an insight into the financial dealings of the project.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Udoinyang, and the Chairman, Committee on Direct Foreign Investment, Mr.Uduak Ukpeh were on hand to explain some issues surrounding the project to the lawmakers.
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