By Shadrach Okon
The Akwa Ibom State Government is proposing to spend a total sum of N1.2 billion in the ongoing resuscitation of Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited in Esit Eket Local Government Area.
The proposed amount to be spent on the project was captured in the approved budget of Akwa Ibom State Government for 2025, fiscal year.
The palm oil farm is situated in six communities in Esit Eket, Urue Offong Oruko and Mbo Local Government Areas.
The six villages namely: Etebi Idung Asan, Etebi Akwa Ata, Unyanga, Udung Uko, Ntak Inyang and Orukem.
The revitalization of Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited, formerly known as Akwa Palm Industry Ltd, according to Akwa Ibom State Government is part of the steps to boost the industrialization drive of Arise Agenda in the state.
The Guide Newspaper reports that the N1.2billion budget for Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited marks a significant increase in the amount budgeted for the same project in 2024 revised budget.
In 2024 revised budget, Akwa Ibom State Government had budgeted N100million for Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited.
The Guide Newspaper reports that the budget performance report for the first and second quarter of 2024 did not provide any update on what was spent on the project within the period covered by the report.
It would be recalled that Dakkada Global Oil Palm Limited the then Akwa Palm industry has been moribund for over 30 years before ex-governor Udom Emmanuel decided to resuscitate the project on May 2020.
The present governor was then the Director Agricultural Investment in the state.
