By Meletus EZE
Qua Iboe Power Plant Limited (QIPPL), the promoter of the Qua Iboe Power Plant has signed a community partnership agreement with project impacted communities in Akwa Ibom State.
Execution of the agreement is a strategic move by QIPPL to proactively establish a positive relationship with neighbouring communities in Akwa Ibom State and collaborate with them to identify and develop sustainable programmes for accelerated socio-economic development in the communities.
The CPA was executed with the communities under the auspices of the Akwa Ibom State Government with Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, the Secretary to the Government, and Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Matters & Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong, and other top government officials of the state.
The project communities comprise Ibeno (where the power plant is located), Eket, Esit-Eket, Mkpat-Enin, Onna and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State, whose representatives were part of the ceremony aimed at fostering hitch free operations and promotion of orderliness in the area to allow a conducive investment/work environment at all times through the construction to completion of the Power Plant Project and during operation of the Power Plant Project.
The agreement covers critical areas such as Community Employment Opportunities, Procurement and Supply Contracts, and Socio-Economic Development Projects.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer, Black Rhino Group, Mr. Brian Herlihy, commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for his support to assure that the project comes on stream and commence construction before the end of 2018.
He stated that the company was investing 1.1 billion dollars in the QIPP project adding that over 12,000 people from Akwa Ibom would be employed during the construction of the project.
Brian stated that aside investing $1.1billion, ExxonMobil will also invest another $500million for gas.
Governor Udom Emmanuel applauded QIPPL for its commitment in investing $1.1billion in the power plant and an additional $500million for gas, adding that the signing of the MOU is one of the solutions that will solve the countries gas challenges.
He assured the company of his government’s support and commitment to the realization of the goal; “I am always glad to be associated with something that will drive employment, provide the bases for industrialization and I think the QIPP is just one of them”.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of the projects host communities, Chief Okut Inyang Etim Inyang for Ukpenekang, Ibeno Local Government Area and Pastor Bassey William Umoh representing Eket local government area expressed appreciation for the QIPP project stressing that the coming of the project will change the fortunes of their people.
“The economy of our people and those in the host communities will improve with the coming on stream of the QIPP project and because of the numerous multiplier effect of this project, we in the host communities have agreed to cooperate to ensure the project succeeds.
“More jobs will be created via the project in our communities and more businesses will spring up in our localities”, they stated.
The QIPP project which is to be located in Ibeno when completed will ensure uninterrupted power supply in its immediate host communities of Eket, Ibeno, Esit Eket, Onna, Ikot Abasi and the entire Akwa Ibom State.
