Akwa Ibom Set To Replace Crude Oil With Coconut Oil, Unveils Refinery (Photos)

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has set out to lubricate the once virgin well of agriculture in the State by establishing one of Africa's biggest coconut oil refinery. According to him, coconut oil revenue is now more than that of crude oil. Lots of people have no idea of coconut's enormous potentials but the Governor went ahead, displaying his propensity to plan towards an economy beyond crude oil, as if he knew that a certain Coronavirus pandemic would soon bring the world on its knees. 

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The St. Gabriel Coconut Oil Factory located in Ikot Ekpuk, Mkpat Enin Local Government of the State is handled by VKS Nigeria Construction Limited. The factory which has a projected capacity of processing one million coconuts a day, will commence with a starting capacity of 300,000 coconuts daily.

It was flagged off by Governor Emmanuel on May 24, 2017, as part of activities to mark his second year in Office. With a projection of being a future Nigeria might have to fall back on, the refinery project is visionary because of the multi-faceted use of the coconut.

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As Governor Emmanuel himself put it, the coconut has over 365 uses, implying that there is a different function for the coconut in each day of the year. In cosmetics products, automobiles industry, confectionery, physiotherapy, medicine and general catering, coconut asserts itself as the future the world had longed for. 

In recent years, coconut oil has emerged as a potential ‘miracle’ food and source of revenue. Some health specialists and nutritionists have asserted that the coconut oil is capable of promoting health benefits, such as weight reduction, cholesterol lowering, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and anti-inflammatory effect, among others. 

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The refinery project which is currently nearing completion has enjoyed the support of host communities. Indeed, the employment opportunities have been encouraging. The project manager, Mr Alper Yilmaz affirmed that even though at 80 percent completion no fewer than 1000 people had been engaged at various stages of the project execution which is currently at the state of production line installation.

Speaking with newsmen, Governor Udom Emmanuel explained that the facility will employ thousands across the state and that the revenue from coconut oil surpasses the revenue from crude oil daily. He furthered explained that the refinery which will also process palm kernels, will give birth to smaller factories that will process other parts of the coconut fruit.  

See photos;