Utibe Ekoson
Akwa Ibom State government has expressed optimism that it would meet the December 2022 target of planting at least two million coconut trees in the state to feed the state coconut refinery.The state government gave the assurance to dispel the fears that the multi billion Naira Saint Gabriel Coconut Oil Refinery in Mkpat Enin Local Council might be under utilised due to inadequate coconut fruits to meet up its two million coconut per day refining capacity.The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, gave the clarification while fielding questions from journalists in Uyo .Dr. Offor explained that more than one million hybrid seedlings have already been planted in the last six years at various locations across the state in a renewed effort to meet the demands of the refinery.According to the commissioner, new plantations have been established in Okobo, Ini and Eket to compliment the main plantation sandwiched between Eastern Obolo, Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas.She maintained that an initiative aimed at encouraging the growing of the plant in public secondary schools have been expanded to public primary schools, local government councils and traditional rulers council.
