By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist Oil/Gas Desk
The Energy and Maritime Reporters (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has taken its Core Oil Communities Tour to Udung Uko Local Government Area, where the delegation was received by the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. (Elder) Godwin Okponung.
The visit, which followed the association’s engagement with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, was aimed at taking journalism beyond the newsroom by engaging host communities, listening to stakeholders, documenting their realities and identifying opportunities capable of driving sustainable development.
Speaking during the engagement, the EMR delegation noted that Udung Uko occupies a strategic position in Akwa Ibom State’s oil-producing and maritime landscape, with significant prospects in oil and gas, maritime transportation, fisheries, coastal tourism and other areas of the blue economy.
The engagement also focused on identifying the challenges confronting the local government and exploring areas where stronger collaboration among government, host communities, industry operators and the media could promote inclusive development.
The association stressed that the tour was not merely a courtesy visit, but part of its commitment to building relationships and creating platforms through which the aspirations and concerns of oil-producing communities could receive wider attention.
EMR expressed appreciation to the Executive Chairman and his team for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the delegation, reaffirming its commitment to listening, documenting, engaging and amplifying issues affecting communities within Akwa Ibom’s energy and maritime corridors.
