When Governor Umo Eno, alongside the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, led a delegation of 104 Akwa Ibom stakeholders to meet with President Bola Tinubu, early this year, he tabled only two requests before him.
One of them was for the Federal Government to assist the state with the development of the Ibom Deep Sea Port, since, in truth, “no state government can alone build a sea port.”
“We need to collaborate with the federal government. We need the federal government support. And so we have made a request to the president to help us intervene so that Akwa Ibom will have a deep sea port,” the Governor said after the meeting.
Governor Eno knows that the deep sea port “will be a game changer for the state, for the region and indeed for the nation.”
Since it’s conception, the port has seen “progress” through different regimes of government in the state.
Designed to handle very large vessels that can load over 13,000 containers with smaller vessels distributing cargo to other ports, and to serve as a transshipment hub for West and Central Africa, the port was conceived as part of a larger integrated development known as Ibom Industrial City, aiming to boost economic growth and create jobs.
The port is expected to be a major maritime hub, facilitating trade and industrialization in the region.
Situated on the Atlantic coast, on an area of 2,656 hectares, with direct deep water access (18m) to deep sea trade routes and a drought of 72, about the deepest in the country, the port, when completed will be a haven for over 300,000 jobs and several other economic opportunities.
Strategic and important as the project is, its implementation has been through several challenging routes.
Under Governor Eno though, there is a renewed drive to see the port completed.
Committed and passionate about its realization, the Governor has not only asked for the support of the federal government, he is doing much on his own to see that the project is not stagnated.
In his words, during a visit to the area: “We must start something and see how far our strength can take us, even as we expect help.”
Done in phases, the current phase one of the project, according to the Commissioner of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port, Comrade Ini Ememobong, includes the construction of the city gate, sales centre, the Unyenghe -Orukim road and the foundation for the port terminal development.
In March this year, Governor Eno directed contractors handling the 7km Unyenghe -Orukim access road to the Seaport project to expedite work on it.
He gave the directive during an unscheduled visit to the project site where he noted the importance of the access road leading to the Industrial City Gate, in ensuring seamless connectivity for the port’s development.
The Governor also directed the immediate commencement of the access gate construction, ground breaking for Sales Offices, and the Container Terminal, saying that these key developments will mark a significant step towards making the port a reality.
According to him, “these key development will mark a significant step towards making the port a reality.”
Following the directive, Ememobong, with the Technical Committee for the actualisation of the port, met with the consultant port master planner, Dar Al-Handasar Ltd., to finalize technical requirements for the groundbreaking of those key project components.
The Governor again reiterated his resolve to actualising the sea port when, in Oron.During the Town Square meeting with the people of the federal constituency, he said “We are done with the talking. We are done with the paper work. Now is time for action. This is a step forward in our quest to deliver this important project.”
As action has started on the key components of the first phase, some major issues hampering a smooth implemention is being tackled.
According to Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro, the chairman of the Technical committee, the issues include finalizing feasibility studies report which she said will be ready by December this year, establishment of a Ports Management Committee, negotiation for final concession with the Nigeria Port Authority, selection of a construction company, and regularization of a free zone license.
But the government is thinking ahead of all of this, signaling its commitment to deal with the issues this year.
Just last week, Ememobong’s Ministry gathered egg heads and other stakeholders of the sector in a workshop to prepare the state for the port when it fully materializes.
It is one thing for the port to come to reality. It is another for the people of the state to enjoy maximum benefits from its presence on their land.
At the workshop on the theme “Economic Potentials of Blue Economy Value Chain in Akwa Ibom State for Productivity and Sustainable Growth”, Ememobong noted that while the administration of Governor Eno is diligently working to bring the Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, it was important to ensure that Akwa Ibom people are prepared and well-positioned to be active players in the maritime sector.
“Currently, Lagos and Rivers States are the players in the maritime sector because of their seaports. With the commitment of His Excellency Governor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom is set to join this league through the construction of Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City…While the State Government is working to bring Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, Akwa Ibom should have a pool of highly skilled manpower for employment at the port and the industries that will be set up in Ibom Industrial City. This is the essence of today’s sensitisation workshop,” he said.
Experts, industry leaders and other participants at the workshop agreed that the passion which Governor Eno has brought to bear on the project was not only unprecedented but will accelerate the socio-economic development of the state.
Another body of water close to the deep sea port in Oron may not be as deep, but Governor Eno has seen opportunities there too.
As part of his goal to make the state’s blue economy vibrant, he is bringing a complete turn around to the water front in Oron with the flag-off of the Maritime hub project which includes shore protection, constructing of a terminal building, warehouses with cold rooms, construction of cargo, passenger and joint task force jetties, recreational garden at the beach-front, improvements and facelift of the Museum as well as commercial parks.
According to the Governor, “We are also restoring the inter-state passenger transportation between Calabar, Cross River and our State, which was one of the defining features of this town, with two passenger ferries.
“The sum total of what we are witnessing here today, is the turning around of the economic fortunes of the people of Oro, which is in line with my campaign promises,” he added at an event to flag off the hub.
Give it a little time, and the world will wake up to give an ovation to an intentional Governor Eno who has not only stimulated a vibrant blue economy in the state but has linked it to several other sectors of the economy like tourism, transportation and commerce.
Credit: N.T.A.EFO
