Update:

Senator Ekong Sampson Charges Akwa Ibomites to Utilize Opportunities in Solid Minerals, Raises Hopes for Investment

Samuel Udoma

Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South in the National Assembly, has called on Akwa Ibomites to explore opportunities and invest in the nation’s solid minerals sector.

Senator Sampson, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, stated this when he received on courtesy visit, a delegation from Abai Contractors Ltd, led by Mr. Ide Owodiong Idemeko, earlier in the week.

The Akwa Ibom South Senator said that the solid minerals sector was one potential big boom in the country, noting that Nigerians were increasingly embracing the sector as a viable option against the overdependence on oil.

Sampson urged Akwa Ibom people to embrace opportunities in the sector, assuring that as Chairman of the Senate Solid Minerals Committee, he will ensure that the State was well placed to benefit maximally from the huge potentials embedded in the sector.

Senator Sampson observed that it was an irrefutable fact that solid minerals abound in Akwa Ibom State. He said the State could generate huge gains and experience economic growth by investing in the solid minerals.

The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for showing interest in the solid minerals sector, describing the State Chief Executive as a man of great vision.

Senator Sampson said that the Senate was looking into some legislative and policy gaps in the sector, so as to deepen the scope of investment. He mentioned that the current Mining Act was coming under close scrutiny.

Senator Ekong Sampson, who was visibly elated to receive members of Abai Contractors Ltd, stated that he was impressed that an indigenous group from the State was having interest in solid minerals development.

Earlier in his address, leader of the delegation, Ide Owodiong, congratulated Senator Ekong Sampson on his emergence as Senator and subsequent appointment as Chairman of the Solid Minerals Committee.

He said that his company has the vision to leverage on the abundant human and natural resources in Akwa Ibom State, to create, develop and distribute wealth, in ways that will be beneficial to the State and Nigeria, at large.

He said that so far, the company had secured mining lease to explore Gravel, Kaolin, Quartz and Topaz, and will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to further unlock the State’s huge solid minerals deposit base.