
31/07/2025
HON. NKOM LIASE WITH FG FOR INTERVENTION, ADOPTION OF RAFFIA CRAFT FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
...Unveils Bantu Ibom Fashion Products
The Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Hon. Aniefiok Nkom has facilitated a feasibility and fact finding visit of a delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria with the purpose to adopt the development of craft products in the area for national integration.
Receiving the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Cultural Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) today in his office, Hon. Nkom commended the President Bola Tinubu administration's commitment to foster economic growth and cultural revitalization through the Renewed Hope Creative Village Policy.
Reiterating on the plans to construct Raffia Craft Mall in Ikot Ekpene, Hon. Nkom said, this was in line to rejuvenating the craft business to boost economy in the area.
The visit was initiated in response to a request to the President for intervention and support for implementation of the Bantu Ibom Creative and Cultural Industries Export Processing Zone in Ikot Inyang by the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
The Council Boss said, the project was designed to serve as a strategic industrial hub for creative arts, cultural tourism and export of Nigerian talents, craft and entertainment products as well as services for global market.
He solicited for rapid endorsement to integrate the project into National Creative Development plan.
While unveiling the Bantu Ibom Fashion Products, the Council Helmsman said, through the Federal Government's intervention, the economy of the local government area and State will improve as he appealed for the President to key into the plan, believing for physical actualization of the project in your next visit.
Earlier, the Assistant Director, Entertainment and Creative Economy Department, FMACTCE, Blessing Onwughalu said, the visit was to assess the project site of Bantu Ibom Creative and Cultural Industries Export Processing Zone and gather on-the-spot fact findings of the craft in the area.
She said, the Federal Government is diversifying the economy into Creative Economy away from Oil, as such collating and incorporating Creative industries across the country for partnership with International bodies such as UNESCO.
Speaking also, the former Federal member of Ikot Ekpene/Obot-Akara/Essien Udim Constituency and Chief Conceptualizer of the centre, Hon. Patty Etete said, the industrial park was to ventilate the natural gifts and position it as another way the country can carve a niche and revitalise the creative potentials of young craft people in area such as arts, craft, cultural heritage and more.
Speaking to journalists at the factory, Engr Uwem Umoren and Iboro Bernard said the machines are fabricated locally from scrap metals and products are made from raw materials locally sources in the community.
The skills are projected to empower the upcoming younger generation to be self reliance and called on the government for support especially in areas of expansion and granting of access to utilization of waste products.
The Chairman and Federal Government delegation toured the factory as raffia products of crafts and arts products were on displayed.
Otobong Eshiet
Area Information/Public Relations Officer