The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has opened an investigation into the ownership of companies established during the administration of former governor Udom Emmanuel.
The development follows the collapse of several high-profile projects.
Top among them is the Saint Gabriel Coconut Refinery in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, named after Emmanuel’s late father, where workers have been owed seven months’ salaries. Other ventures in his Awa Iman community in Onna, including a flour mill, syringe manufacturing plant, plywood factory, and toothpick and pencil production facilities, have also reportedly shut down since he left office in May 2023.
Speaker 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 private owners. The panel is mandated to liaise with relevant ministries, affected workers, and other stakeholders.
The probe was brought about by a motion from Hon. Uweh Peter Imoh-Ita (Mkpat Enin), who urged the state government to immediately pay outstanding salaries and clarify the employment status of the refinery workers. He noted that the employees, hired in 2016 through the Ministry of Agriculture, were paid regularly until December 2024, when payments stopped without explanation.
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.
It can be recalled that Governor Umo Eno, who was backed to victory in the 2023 gubernatorial polls by then-governor Emmanuel recently defected from the PDP to the APC, while his predecessor has remained in the opposition party.
The state governor, Umo Eno, who rode to victory in the 2023 governorship election with Emmanuel’s backing, has since defected from the PDP to the APC, while his predecessor remains in the opposition.
The majority of the state legislators have also switched to the APC.