From Iniobong Ekponta, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has commenced a probe into the real ownership of supposed State-owned companies established under the administration of the immediate past governor Udom Emmanuel.
In this vein, Speaker of the House, Honourable Udeme Otong, announced the formation of a joint panel, drawing members from the House Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Labour and Productivity, to establish whether the refinery and related enterprises belong to the state or privately owned.
The panel is mandated to liaise with relevant ministries, affected workers, and other stakeholders.
The probe is sequel to a motion by a member of the House Honourable Uweh Peter Imoh-Ita ,Mkpat Enin.
Besides, the motion urged the state government to immediately pay outstanding salaries and clarify the employment status of the refinery workers.
The investigation began amid collapse of several high-profile projects in the state including Saint Gabriel Coconut Refinery in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, named after Emmanuel’s late father, where workers have been owed seven months’ salaries.
It was gathered that the state government owned flour mill, syringe manufacturing plant, plywood factory, and toothpick and pencil production facilities, have also gone out of services.
The Assembly’s intervention also comes amid unresolved disputes over land acquired for coconut plantations in Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo, and Ikot Abasi, where host communities allege they were not compensated.
Ex-Governor Udom Emmanuel elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was in office from 2015 to 2023.
Emmanuel, succeeded Ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio a former PDP chieftain turned All Progressives Congress, APC, member and current President of the Senate.
It would be recalled that the sitting Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno came into office on the PDP platform but recently joined Akpabio in the APC.
Eno, also ordered his commissioner defection to the ruling party or resign.
