Governor Umo Eno, on Monday, commissioned 13 oil palm processing mills and one cassava processing mill located in all the political wards of the Oruk Anam local government area to economically empower women.
At the event held at the oil palm processing site in Ikot Omono/Ibesit Nung Ikot 2, Oruk Anam LGA, the Governor urged the women to be diligent, committed, and focused in order to expand their ventures and achieve greater success.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor stated that the oil and cassava processing mills were established in partnership with the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP) to enhance productivity and improve the livelihoods of women in the area.
He also revealed that there are sixty mills in six pilot Local Government Areas of the state, which have brought opportunities to women. He urged the women to take care of the projects and to ensure that their progress continues.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Noble Lady Helen Eno-Obareki, said the project speaks to the core and the livelihood of women of the area and would reduce stress level in women particularly because of the child care centres provided in all the facilities.
She thanked Governor Eno for his gender-friendly policies and charged the women to take good care of the facilities.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Hon. Festus Akpan, expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for the numerous development projects executed across the area.
In her tone setting, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas Etukudo, said the women of the area are happy with the Governor, and averred that the projects will boost economic activities in the area.
Giving an overview of the facilities, the Project Cordinator and State Coordinator of NFWP, Barr. Ofonime Etuknwa, disclosed that Oruk Anama LGA was perculiar, as it had fourteen projects in the area.
She said that the mills have mother-child care centers where mothers can leave their babies to rest while they work in the mills, adding that the oil mills can produce eight drums of palm oil per day if the women put in their best effort.
“The machines are being calibrated at the 13 sites. And, before the peak period of the next palm fruit season, the women will be producing tons and tons of palm oil. We want to start exporting palm oil,” she added.
Goodwill messages were received from Mrs. Mfon Udo, on behalf of the women; Chief Monday Peter, the Village Head of Ikot Omono; Dr. Glory Edet, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs; and Sir Udo Kierian Akpan, a former three-term lawmaker. They all expressed their gratitude to the Governor and the NFWP and urged the beneficiaries to take care of the facility.
