“Tooth Picks Are For People That Eat Not for The Hungry”, Akwa Ibom Youths Moan Over Udom’s Tooth Pick & Pencil Factory.
In the midst of this nation’s grinding recession one Governor has been able to build a complete factory. The Governor of Akwa Ibom State has built an operational tooth pick and pencil factory from ground zero.
The Governor won his election on the promise that he was going to build the first industries and factories in the State after 20 years when the last industrial factories ( all which are now moribund) were built by late Governor Clement Isong, during the NPN era in the early 80’s.
Through a random interview by two of our staff in the state it was discovered some citizens of Akwa Ibom State are bitter and of the opinion that the Governor Udom should have invested his vision in agriculture. Nigeria they say is the world’s largest producer of Cassava. Cassava is where starch is produced from, a most sort after additive in many industrial nations – a situation where annually demand outstrips supply. Their argument is that hundreds of thousands would have been employed especially the rural women who would have been gainfully employed on their farms, the youths they say would have been the new business managers and distributors in the new agricultural revolution. They also go further to say there is a pre-existing Cassava infrastructure that the governor would have leveraged on, which would have built thousands of Cassava cottage industries for the masses. They added that Cassava and Palm oil would have provided both money and food for the population in the midst of the current financial famine, these two agricultural products they maintain Akwa Ibom ranks number one in Nigeria. They argue building a factory with billions of naira that employs less than 30 people, where the staff are friends and relatives of powerful politicians – is not a judicious way to invest money in industrialisation.
Udom they press on promised to employ thousands and not a privileged few. “We regret voting in a foreigner as our Governor, a man who does not understand the yearnings of the average Akwa Ibom family sitting inside a keke, some of the youths” said.
“We voted for Udom out of the respect we had for Godswill , we will not repeat this mistake in 2019, nobody will deceive us, our hunger will do the voting , we want a man who understands the language of the masses in this recession”. “Where are the food particles in our teeth for us to use tooth picks, a hungry man does not need tooth pick, Nigerians are hungry”, one youth moaned.
The Governor has come out to answer his critics by defending his vision – he said the factory will produce thousands of allied jobs and Akwa Ibom citizens who become distributors will in turn employ hundreds. He said it was time for Akwa Ibom citizens to dominate certain aspects of the Nigerian economy from an executive position, “Akwa Ibom will be known for factories and industries”, the former investment banker has often said. The Governor sees Akwa Ibom State exporting it’s toothpicks and pencils to other African nations. He added that Nigeria imports more tooth picks than any nation in the world and demand outstrips supply.
He however has gone on to add that he has embarked on a progressive investment in agriculture and that by 2019, Akwa Ibom State will become one of the leading agricultural States in Nigeria.
Headlinenewsnigeria.com wishes to congratulate a Governor who has fulfilled his promise rather than make excuses about the lack of funds. Our team hopes the Federal Government will follow the Akwa Ibom example. Below is a report filed by hypestationng.com on the tooth pick and pencil factory.
By Raymond Alphonsus
Gov. Udom Emmanuel is working hard to see that Nigeria and other African countries stop importation of basic products such as toothpick and pencils from China. It is on record that China produces pencils and toothpicks used all over the African continent and Nigeria in particular.
Gov. Udom Emmanuel in line with his Industrialization agenda has established the FIRST operational toothpick and pencils factory in Nigeria meaning that other States of Nigeria will begin to rely on Akwa Ibom for regular supply of this important basic products.
In order to make Akwa Ibom a destination in Africa, Gov. Udom has ensured that the products to be produced here are of high quality like that of the Chinese.
The Pencils and Toothpick factory which is located along kilometer 1 Uyo- Etinan road has been COMPLETED and is currently undergoing TEST RUNNING with a capability to generate 1 (one) BILLION naira yearly as well as create 10,000 (Ten Thousand) jobs for all Akwa Ibom people.
The Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Udom Emmanuel on Technical Matters and Due process Ufot Ebong has assured Akwa Ibomites that Gov. Udom Emmanuel is committed to his Industrialization plans for the state. Elder Ufot Ebong also assured that the African continent will stop travelling to China to purchase toothpick and pencils as Akwa Ibom has become the first state in Nigeria to produce toothpicks and pencils. AKWA IBOM EMPLOYMENT AND ENTERPRISE SCHEME (AKEES) is doing excellently well in its vision of piloting the Industrialization, Job and wealth creation agenda of Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s administration.
Experts say the move by Gov. Udom Emmanuel to make history in Nigeria by establishing the first operational toothpick and pencils factory is laudable because the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state will be boost by 1(one) BILLION NAIRA per annum as well as boost other economic activities in the State as visitors from other countries of the world will constantly visits Akwa Ibom. AKEES (AKWA IBOM EMPLOYMENT AND ENTERPRISE SHEME) has done well to have ensured the implementation of Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s beautiful vision for Akwa Ibom state.
Expert are also of the view that Gov. Udom has done the BEST as Akwa Ibom enjoys proximity to raw materials that is required in the industry (ie. Bamboo). Gov. Udom has acquired and installed all the machines and equipments needed in the pencils and toothpick factory to as to ensure that Akwa Ibomites benefit from the 10,000 (Ten Thousand) jobs off the factory workers.
An indigene of IKOT ABASI noted ” this is a sure way to ensure that our people are employed, I commend Gov. Udom Emmanuel for this gaint stride in our state. I am happy because i learnt that online supermarkets and online traders like JUMIA will begin to key into our toothpick and pencils factory so that citizens of other countries can easily purchase this quality products. Everybody uses toothpicks and pencils especilally Architects so I think we are talking of a very large market here. AKEES is working. Gov. Udom Emmanuel is working.
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