OMPALAN: Championing the cause of Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Areas in Akwa Ibom
By Lawrence Emana
“The price of success is hard work, dedication and determination to win, we have applied the best of ourselves to this task. The secret of getting ahead is getting started and greater the effort – the greater the glory.”
The above quote by Vince Lombardi signifies the plans of the Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association (OMPALAN) in Akwa Ibom State.
The body is now set for its inauguration on the 14th August, 2021 at the Prestigious Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The group is peopled with men and women of high integrity and proven characters who are all out to champion the cause of the oil, gas and solid mineral producing areas in our State, Akwa Ibom. Although the journey to achieve the task ahead of them may not be smooth sailing but with God all things are possible. What is required now, from Akwa Ibom people are prayers, support and encouragement to enable OMPALAN to succeed.
This is so because a tree cannot stand alone and become a forest and two better heads is always better than one. The group also seeks collaboration from the stakeholders from the oil and solid mineral industries to enable them discharge their responsibilities creditably. With chapters in most of the local government areas of the state – spread across the 10 federal constituencies; the organization is headed by Elder Okon Okon, a distinguished and respected public service functionary and community development expert with hands on experience in State and Local Government Administration since the 80s.
OMPALAN in Akwa Ibom State is also blessed with an array of distinguished sons and daughters of State to assist the organization break new grounds in service delivery. They are made of seasoned professionals in diverse fields including politics, oil, gas and solid minerals key players past and present; guarantees a safe landing for the organization. OMPALAN is the most trusted and the most dependable voice now for the oil producing areas in the state to air their grievances to the Federal Government and oil producing companies operating in their localities. OMPALAN is also the platform through which the oil producing landlord’s in Akwa Ibom would use to get all their due benefits without resort to activities inimical to peace and development. It is in a word, a wholly community owned pressure group/voice.
However, Akwa Ibom State Chapter has been knitting all loose ends and engaging well meaning individual on their roles towards the success of the association in the state. Apart from its series of meetings, the State Chairman, Elder Okon Okon, alongside some National officers and Senior Special Adviser to the BOT National Chairman, Capt. John Etim and members of the State Executive have been going around the state to properly, educate and inform stakeholders and landlords of the aims and objectives of the Association. The Advisory Board Chairman is HRM, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, the respected monarch and Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area.
