By Edet Ikotidem

Something historic may be happening just offshore Akwa Ibom, and the question is whether the state is paying enough attention.

The EMEM Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel—better known as the EMEM FPSO—is associated with the development of the Okwok Oilfield, offshore Nigeria. Reports describe it as a landmark project for Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas industry and the first FPSO fully funded and converted by a Nigerian indigenous company.

The vessel is owned and developed for operations by Oriental Energy Resources Limited, the Nigerian indigenous oil and gas company founded by businessman Muhammadu Indimi. The company operates the Okwok field through Oriental Okwok Limited. The field is expected to produce up to 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day at full production, while the FPSO has a storage capacity of up to one million barrels.

That is not a small development.

For Akwa Ibom, particularly communities around the Mbo waterways and the state’s coastal axis, this should be a moment for serious strategic thinking. The question is no longer simply whether oil is being produced offshore. The bigger question is: how much of the economic value chain will Akwa Ibom capture?

Is the Akwa Ibom State Government fully aware of the scale of this development and the opportunities it presents?

Are local businesses prepared to provide marine logistics, boat services, vessel supplies, catering, accommodation, security, transportation, technical services, manpower and other support services?

Are young people in the coastal communities being prepared for the jobs and contracts that may emerge?

And, perhaps most importantly, is the state engaging the operators early enough to ensure that Akwa Ibom businesses are not spectators in a project located so close to its waters?

The EMEM FPSO is not merely a floating oil platform. It represents a massive ecosystem of contracts and services. Offshore oil production requires a chain of suppliers and service providers. From marine transportation and vessel support to engineering, maintenance, safety, catering, logistics and professional services, the opportunities can be enormous.

But opportunities do not automatically translate into benefits for the nearest state.

They must be identified. They must be pursued. Local businesses must be prepared. Young people must be trained. Government must engage investors and operators. And the private sector must be ready to meet the standards required by the oil and gas industry.

This is why the Akwa Ibom Government should be asking important questions now.

Is the government aware of the EMEM FPSO’s operations and its proximity to Akwa Ibom’s coastal communities?

What discussions have taken place with Oriental Energy Resources?

What is the state’s plan to ensure that Akwa Ibom businesses and citizens participate in the emerging value chain?

The project is a major achievement for Oriental Energy Resources and a significant milestone for Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas sector. But for Akwa Ibom, it should also be a wake-up call.

The vessel may be offshore, but the economic opportunities must not remain offshore.

This is the time for government, local businesses, coastal communities, entrepreneurs, training institutions and young professionals to position themselves.

The oil is in the sea.

The question is: will Akwa Ibom be ready to capture the opportunities that come with it?

The time to wake up is now.