Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State is set to commence the exportation of palm oil to neighbouring states and beyond, following the commissioning of a palm fruit processing mill in the area.

Governor Umo Eno made this known during the commissioning of the palm fruit processing mill at Oku Abak, Abak. The project is an initiative of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP).

Following its construction, the mill established across the 11 wards that make up Abak Local Government Area now produces eight drums of palm oil daily, a significant increase from the one drum previously produced through traditional methods.

Impressed by the outcome, the governor promised to provide the women with 10 tonnes of palm fruits for the next processing cycle and directed that security personnel be deployed to safeguard the mill.

Represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Governor Eno, who expressed satisfaction with the output recorded by the women at the mill, also assured them of access to ready buyers who would patronise them directly at the mill, thereby easing the burden of transporting the oil to markets.

He further assured the women of the provision of lighting facilities at the mill and the construction of an access road to enhance operations.

Governor Eno expressed delight with the project, noting that although Akwa Ibom State joined the World Bank–assisted project later than other states, it could boast of one of the best outcomes from the initiative.

In her remarks, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Obareki, expressed delight at the project, describing it as a dream come true.

She explained that the initiative was one of the aspirations of her late mother, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who envisioned women operating in trade clusters to access empowerment, support, and financial assistance, thereby reducing poverty at the grassroots.

She thanked the governor for being gender-friendly in words and action and advised the women to utilise the mill judiciously.

Earlier, the Delivery Adviser to Governor Umo Eno on the NFWP, Dr Ini Adiakpan, commended the initiative, highlighting its wide-ranging benefits for women. She explained that the project includes training in financial discipline, leadership, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), among others.

She also appreciated the governor for his leadership in ensuring the successful implementation of the project and thanked the World Bank for funding it.

Speaking on the benefits of the project, the State NFWP Coordinator, Barrister Ofonime Etuknwa, said the initiative—guaranteed by the Federal Government—was designed to enable women to engage in large-scale palm oil production.

She revealed that the project has not only brought together women previously engaged in petty trading but has also increased their weekly savings from as low as ₦100 to between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000, thereby strengthening their economic base and improving their financial standing.

According to her, the mill is jointly owned by a cooperative of 200 women who now operate as a single economic entity and are positioned to share substantial dividends at the end of the year.

Commending the governor for fulfilling his promise to support women at the grassroots, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Rt. Hon. Inibehe Silas, praised Governor Eno for replicating the project across the 11 wards of Abak Local Government Area. She expressed satisfaction that the mill was fully functional and already yielding positive results.

Her remarks were corroborated by the Chairman of Abak Local Government Area, Hon. Ime Charles, who described the technology as a major relief to the burden of palm oil production and a catalyst for increased output.