The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, PhD, has dismissed allegations of lopsided distribution of oil and gas sector employment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State, describing the claim by Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) as baseless.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, the Minister said the document referenced by MMI in its publication titled “MMI Condemns Alleged Lopsided Distribution of Oil and Gas Sector Employment Opportunities in Akwa Ibom” did not originate from his office.
According to the statement, the said document bears neither the official letterhead nor the seal of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), and therefore cannot be authenticated as an official communication.
Ekpo expressed surprise that MMI, an organisation widely respected for defending the peace, unity and collective interests of Ibibio people and Akwa Ibom State, would rely on an unverified internet-sourced list to make such allegations.
He, however, stressed that he continues to hold MMI in high esteem and recognizes its important role in the socio-cultural development of the state, urging the group to uphold its founding ideals of unity.
The Minister described himself as a “deeply detribalised Akwa Ibom person” whose traditional title, _Obongemem_, reflects his commitment to the peace and prosperity of the state and Nigeria. He said he has never approached public office through the lens of ethnicity or political affiliation.
As a member of the Federal Executive Council, Ekpo noted that his mandate is national, but he remains deliberate in securing development and economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom, one of Nigeria’s major gas-producing states.
Highlighting his interventions, the Minister said he recently facilitated the Federal Government’s grassroots LPG programme in the state, which delivered 27,000 gas cylinders across all 31 LGAs and ₦100,000 cash grants to 3,000 beneficiaries, totaling ₦300 million for livelihoods and small businesses.
He added that he has also championed CNG infrastructure in Akwa Ibom, including mother and daughter stations and conversion facilities. A CNG daughter station at the University of Uyo, he said, is ready for inauguration in October.
On investments, Ekpo disclosed that he secured ₦20 billion in MDGIF financing for Nsik Oil and Gas Ltd’s 10 MMSCF/D gas mother station in Esit Eket LGA, and about ₦16 billion for Guelph Gas Limited’s 3 MMSCF/D CNG mother station and two daughter stations in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
He explained that both projects, expected to be completed in 2027, will create hundreds of jobs, reduce transportation costs and strengthen the state’s energy security.
The Minister also cited the Windek Energy Limited 20,000-metric-tonne LPG depot at Atabrikang-Aquaha in Eastern Obolo LGA, within the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone, aimed at boosting LPG storage and distribution while creating employment.
Ekpo further noted that through his office, Akwa Ibom benefited from a $3.5 billion gas infrastructure and industrialisation agreement involving the State Government, NNPC Ltd and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN).
He added that through the NCDMB, he facilitated the construction and furnishing of modern ICT centres in Etinan, Oron, Ika, Uyo, Itu, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Esit Eket, Ikono and Essien Udim, with more projects still in the pipeline.
On appointments, the Minister said his record reflects inclusion across the state, listing Mr Edet Ubong from Uyo on the MDGIF Governing Council, Mr Kufre Sam from Eket as Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Mr Odiong Ekanem from Itu as Technical Adviser on NNPC Relations, Dr Blessing Samuel from Uyo as Chief of Protocol, and Mr Ubong Umana from Esit Eket as Protocol Officer.
The Minister lamented that despite these widely reported interventions, MMI has not acknowledged them, and urged socio-cultural organisations to avoid narratives that fuel ethnic suspicion while Governor Umo Eno works to maintain harmony in the state. He reaffirmed his commitment to working with the governor and remaining open to constructive engagement with all stakeholders.
