Jubilee Syringe exit: Group urges Eno to tour all industries in A’Ibom

Nkereuwem Effiong

The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has urged Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State to start a facility tour of all industries and factories built by previous administrations, including those attracted to the state by his predecessors through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.

The CHRAN’s advice, which was issued in Uyo on Tuesday, 9 January 2024, and signed by its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Secretary, Mr Christopher Ekpo, was on the heels of the recent exit of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Factory (JSM) from the state.

The civil society group stated that the tour has become necessary to enable the governor to have firsthand information on the prevailing business environment in these industries and factories in the state to ascertain the areas that require the government’s swift intervention.

The advocacy group expressed shock over the sudden exit of Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company from Awa, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, less than a year after the company was said to have secured a credit facility of $1m through the help of the state government.

The group said it was worried that the company’s decision to shut down its factory came two years after it announced plans for its expansion and plans to export its products from Akwa Ibom State to Germany, stating that the company’s exit has affected its employees, majority of whom are Akwa Ibom State indigenes.

CHRAN listed some industries and factories that Eno should tour and revitalise to boost the state’s economy and create employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people to include “Kings Flour Mill, Onna; Metering Solutions Company, Onna; St. Gabriel Coconut Refinery and Coconut Plantation, Mkpat Enin; Lion Plywood Company, Onna; Rice Mill, Ini; AKEES Plastic Factory, Straw Factory, Tissue Paper Factory, Dakkada Industrial Estate, Itu; Automobile Assembling Plant, Itu; 21-Storey Dakkada Towers, Uyo; the New International Terminal Building, and the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Facility at the Victor Attah International Airport.”

Others are: “Peacock Paints Limited, Ikot Ekan, Etinan; AKEES Pencil and Toothpick factory, Itu; Ibom Greenhouse Farms, Champion Breweries Plc, Ibesikpo-Asutan; Ibom Power Company, Ikot Abasi LGA; Ekim Power Substation, Mkpat Enin; Ibom E-Library, Uyo; Ibom Tropicana Complex, Uyo; Ibom Deep Seaport, Mbo; Ibom Science Park, Itu; Akwa Prime Hatchery & Poultry Ltd at Mbiaya Uruan, Uruan LGA; and Ibom Icon Hotels & Golf Resort, Uruan LGA, among others.”