January 27, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Government, on Monday, rolled out a ₦1.34 billion women empowerment and civic engagement drive in Abak Local Government Area, commissioning oil processing facilities and launching the “Women Arise” sensitisation tour across the state.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who represented the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, commissioned a Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) oil processing mill at Oku Abak, one of 11 such facilities now spread across all wards in the local government area.
Eyakenyi disclosed that the state had released ₦890 million as start-up capital to women livelihood collectives and approved an additional ₦450 million for immediate expansion of the project to other local government areas.
She said each processing mill has the capacity to produce about eight drums daily, adding that the products already have access to export markets, making the initiative commercially viable and sustainable.
According to her, the project aligns with the administration’s bottom-up development agenda, which prioritises rural development, poverty reduction and women’s economic inclusion.
The deputy governor also pledged government support for security at the Abak facility, including round-the-clock surveillance, and said requests for access roads and improved lighting would be conveyed to the governor.
Following the commissioning, Eyakenyi formally launched the “Women Arise” sensitisation tour at Independence Hall, Abak, calling on women to take greater responsibility in civic engagement, particularly voter registration and participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She urged women to mobilise eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, describing voter turnout as critical to influencing governance outcomes at the grassroots.
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs Helen Obareki, said the processing mill was conceived to strengthen women’s livelihoods, while the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas, explained that the tour would educate women across the state on their civic duties and access to government programmes.
Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, Mrs Ime Charles, said the project would boost local economic activity, while Barrister Ofonime Etuknwa, the project coordinator, noted that the facility is collectively owned by 200 women organised into cooperatives.
Traditional ruler of Oku Abak, Obong Okokon Udo, JP, said three communities donated land for the project, reflecting strong local support.
The first day of the sensitisation tour ended in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where similar engagements were held as the statewide outreach continues.
