The attention of the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo , PhD, has been drawn to a publication by Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) titled, “MMI Condemns Alleged Lopsided Distribution of Oil and Gas Sector Employment Opportunities in Akwa Ibom.”
The Minister wishes to state categorically that the document on which the publication was based did not emanate from his office and bears neither its official letterhead nor seal.
It is, therefore, surprising and disappointing that an organisation as respected as MMI, renowned for promoting and defending the peace, unity and collective interests of not just the Ibibio, but Akwa Ibom State, would base its allegation on a document neither issued nor authenticated by the Minister’s office.
The Minister, however, continues to hold MMI in high esteem and recognises its important role in the socio-cultural development of the Ibibio and Akwa Ibom State.
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo is a deeply detribalised Akwa Ibom person whose traditional appellation, ‘Obongemem’, reflects his enduring commitment to the peace, unity and prosperity of the state and country. Throughout his public service, he has never approached his responsibilities through the prism of ethnicity or political affiliation.
As Minister and member of the Federal Executive Council, his mandate is national, which he continues to discharge with vigour, energy and patriotism, while remaining committed to securing meaningful development and economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom, one of Nigeria’s major gas-endowed states.
His record of interventions speaks for itself: Barely a month ago, he facilitated the Federal Government’s grassroots LPG intervention in Akwa Ibom, delivering 27,000 gas cylinders across all 31 LGAs and ₦100,000 each to 3,000 beneficiaries, amounting to ₦300 million, for livelihoods and small businesses, particularly agriculture.
He has championed CNG infrastructure in the state, including mother and daughter stations and conversion facilities, with a daughter station at the University of Uyo ready for inauguration in October.
He secured ₦20 billion in MDGIF financing for Nsik Oil and Gas Ltd’s 10 MMSCF/D gas mother station in Esit Eket LGA, as well as Guelph Gas Limited’s 3 MMSCF/D CNG mother station and two daughter stations in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, collectively valued at about ₦16 billion. Upon completion in 2027, the projects will create hundreds of jobs, reduce transport costs and strengthen the state’s energy security.
Also to his credit is the Windek Energy Limited’s 20,000-metric-tonne LPG depot at Atabrikang-Aquaha in Eastern Obolo LGA, within the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone, which is expected to strengthen LPG storage and distribution while creating employment opportunities in Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
Through the instrumentality of the Minister, Akwa Ibom has also benefited from a $3.5 billion gas infrastructure and industrialisation agreement involving the State Government, NNPC Limited and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN).
Through the NCDMB, the Minister also facilitated the construction and furnishing of modern ICT centres in communities across Etinan, Oron, Ika, Uyo, Itu, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Esit Eket, Ikono and Essien Udim, with more still on the pipeline.
All these multibillion-dollar projects and initiatives are being pursued not for any particular senatorial district or ethnic group, but to create jobs, boost the state’s GDP, deepen industrialisation and expand economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom people in particular and Nigerians.
The same principle of inclusion is reflected in those the Minister has supported and worked with. Through his recommendation, Mr Edet Ubong (Uyo LGA) was appointed to the Governing Council of the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) by President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister’s commitment to inclusive representation is also reflected in the appointment of Mr Kufre Sam (Eket LGA) as his Special Adviser on Political Affairs; Mr Odiong Ekanem (Itu LGA) as Technical Adviser on NNPC Ltd Relations; Dr Blessing Samuel (Uyo LGA) as Chief of Protocol; and Mr Ubong Umana (Esit Eket LGA) as Protocol Officer, among others, all from outside his senatorial district.
Yet, more troubling and deeply disheartening, the Minister notes that, despite these interventions, projects, facilitations and appointments, many of which have been widely reported in the media, MMI has never deemed it fit to acknowledge, appreciate or even commend these efforts, not even by a simple SMS, if only to encourage him in his service to the state.
He therefore considers it unfair for the group to hastily celebrate an unverified, internet-sourced list and, seemingly oblivious to his broader record of achievements in the state.
The Minister implores the current leadership of MMI to remain true to the ideals of its founding fathers by upholding its role as a bastion of peace, ethnic unity, responsible leadership and prosperity in Akwa Ibom State, and to remain mindful not to lend itself to narratives that fuel ethnic suspicion, division or bigotry. Similarly, Ekpo advises all socio-cultural organizations in the state against fanning the embers of disunity while the Governor is working assiduously to maintain peaceful harmony.
While pursuing his national and international responsibilities with dedication, diligence and patriotism, Ekpo remains committed to continuously working with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, for the development of the state and the wellbeing of its people.
Above all, he remains open to constructive engagement with MMI’s leadership and all stakeholders committed to the peace, unity and development of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
Signed:
Louis Ibah
Spokesman to the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas).
September 9, 2026.