2027: Akwa Ibom PDP Candidate Coffie pledges grants, affordable loans for SMEs

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Emem Coffie has pledged to introduce stronger support programmes for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), including business grants and access to affordable credit for traders and entrepreneurs, if elected governor in 2027.

Coffie, who described Akwa Ibom as a state blessed with abundant human and mineral resources, also proposed the establishment of cottage industries across the state’s local government areas to create employment, process locally available raw materials and improve residents’ incomes.

Addressing journalists on Sunday in Uyo, the state capital, the PDP candidate identified palm oil processing and the production of briquettes from palm kernel waste as viable business opportunities capable of supporting small-scale industrial development.

He said such initiatives could stimulate local economic activities, create jobs and provide sustainable income opportunities for residents.

Coffie also advocated a return to what he described as Akwa Ibom’s original development master plan, arguing that successive administrations should build on projects initiated by previous governments rather than abandon them following changes in political leadership.

He listed the proposed deep seaport, science park, airport, road network and power plants among the projects associated with the state’s long-term development aspirations, stressing the need to pursue them to completion.

According to him, Akwa Ibom must revisit its original development priorities and focus on projects capable of creating sustainable economic opportunities for its people.

The governorship candidate maintained that although road construction was important, infrastructure development alone could not adequately address unemployment and poverty without corresponding investments in industries and businesses that generate jobs and sustainable incomes.

“Road construction is interesting, but road construction does not put food on the table of people,” he said.

Coffie explained that his proposed development agenda, tagged “A New Drive Back to the Genesis,” would prioritise human capital development, industrialisation, skills acquisition and support for small businesses.

“When I say Genesis, let’s go back to that master plan and start to execute it all over again,” he said.

He further outlined a development vision centred on equipping residents with relevant skills, creating employment opportunities and supporting entrepreneurs to establish and expand sustainable businesses.

Coffie appealed to the people of Akwa Ibom State to support his governorship ambition and vote for him in the 2027 election, saying his proposed agenda was aimed at taking the state to a higher level of development across various sectors.