Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has formally appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to grant presidential approval and full federal support for the actualization of the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project, describing the project as the single most important economic intervention that will permanently transform the economic fortunes of Akwa Ibom State and the entire South-South geopolitical zone of the country.

Governor Eno made the passionate and strategic request on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo during the All Progressives Congress, APC, mega solidarity rally organized as part of the official working visit of President Tinubu to Akwa Ibom State for the commissioning of several legacy infrastructure projects executed by the current administration in the state.

The mega rally, which attracted an unprecedented, massive and colourful crowd of party faithful, political stakeholders, support groups, market women, youth organizations and admirers of the President from across the thirty-one local government areas of the state, was filled to capacity as thousands of Akwa Ibom people thronged the 30,000-capacity stadium to show solidarity for the President.

Addressing the mammoth crowd while President Tinubu and other national leaders of the All Progressives Congress listened with rapt attention from the high table, Governor Eno said the time has come for the federal government to give accelerated, deliberate and focused attention to the Ibom Deep Seaport project, which according to him, has remained on the drawing board for over two decades.

The Governor explained in detail that the Ibom Deep Seaport, which is located at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of the state and boasts of a natural draft of over 18 metres deep without the need for capital dredging, is strategically positioned to become the deepest seaport in Nigeria and indeed West Africa, with enormous capacity to change the maritime landscape.

He noted that the proposed seaport has the natural capability and comparative advantage to accommodate very large vessels, Post-Panamax ships and mother vessels that currently cannot berth at any other port in Nigeria, thereby helping to decongest the heavily congested Lagos ports and serve as a major trans-shipment hub for the entire Gulf of Guinea and West African sub-region.

According to Governor Eno, all preliminary works, technical studies and regulatory requirements, including the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, ESIA, the Outline Business Case, OBC, the Full Business Case, FBC, and the procurement of a preferred bidder through a transparent international competitive bidding process, have long been completed by the state government.

He stressed that what is now left for the project to move from paper to reality is the final presidential approval, issuance of relevant licenses and clear directive from the Presidency to relevant federal agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, to fast-track the process.

Governor Eno told President Tinubu that Akwa Ibom State, being one of the highest oil and gas producing states in the federation and a major contributor to the national economy through crude oil production, deserves a deep seaport that will create massive employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and open up the state to international direct foreign investment.

He maintained that the Ibom Deep Seaport project should not be seen or classified as just an Akwa Ibom State project but as a strategic national project with enormous economic benefits, multiplier effects and revenue potential for the entire country, as it will reduce over-dependence on Lagos ports and facilitate international maritime trade.

The Governor further emphasized that the seaport will greatly promote the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCFTA, enhance national security in the Gulf of Guinea, increase customs revenue, boost non-oil export and contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of Nigeria if given the necessary federal support and approval to commence construction.

He further stated that his administration has already demonstrated uncommon political will, commitment and readiness to ensure that the project sees the light of day, by setting aside necessary counterpart funding, providing over 14,000 hectares of land for the project and maintaining a peaceful, investor-friendly and enabling environment that is required for such a massive investment.

He passionately appealed to President Tinubu, who he described as a listening, responsive, business-friendly and development-oriented leader with a deep understanding of economic dynamics and infrastructure development, to use his good offices as President and Commander-in-Chief to approve the immediate commencement of the project as a special legacy gift to Akwa Ibom.

According to Governor Eno, the actualization of the Ibom Deep Seaport will perfectly complement other landmark projects already inspected and slated for commissioning during President Tinubu’s working visit, including the new International Terminal Building at Victor Attah International Airport, the luxurious ARISE Palm Resort, Ring Road 3 and the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai – Okobo Road.

In a major political declaration that sent the entire stadium into wild jubilation, Governor Eno assured President Tinubu that Akwa Ibom State will deliver nothing less than two million votes for his re-election in the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the state has now fully aligned with the centre and will speak with one voice in support of the President.

The Governor said the promise of two million votes is not just an empty political statement but a solemn commitment backed by the massive, unprecedented crowd at the mega rally, the overwhelming love shown to the President and the strategic mobilization already being carried out across the thirty-one local government areas ahead of the general elections.

He noted that the massive turnout at the mega rally was a clear, undeniable and practical demonstration of the love, acceptance, popularity and widespread support that President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress currently enjoy in Akwa Ibom State, a state that was previously regarded as a stronghold of the opposition.

Governor Eno assured President Tinubu that the people of Akwa Ibom State are now solidly, firmly and irreversibly behind his administration and will continue to support his policies, programmes, Renewed Hope Agenda and re-election bid, adding that Akwa Ibom has decided to join the progressive train for the overall interest and development of the state.

The President of the Senate and political leader of Akwa Ibom State, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, who was present at the rally, as well as other national leaders of the All Progressives Congress, including the National Chairman, governors, serving senators and members of the House of Representatives, applauded Governor Eno’s request and his two-million-vote pledge.

As at the time of filing this report, President Tinubu is yet to respond to Governor Eno’s request regarding the Ibom Deep Seaport project, as he had not taken his turn to address the crowd, but palpable excitement, high expectations and optimism have enveloped the entire stadium, with thousands of supporters eagerly awaiting the President’s speech and his response to the deep seaport request.