By Obiabin Onukwugha
A former Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, has stated that the multi-billion naira Ibom Deep Seaport will drive economic growth, expand Nigeria’s port capacity, and improve ease of doing business through a Public-Private Partnership model when completed.
Usoro stated this during the presentation of the project’s feasibility report by the Technical Committee, at the Government House, Uyo, to the Akwa Ibom State government on Wednesday.
Usoro, who is the Committee Chairman, and a maritime lawyer emphasised that the seaport will accelerate industrialization by integrating with the Ibom Industrial City, and as a Free Trade Zone, stating, “it is positioned to become a major transshipment hub and one of the largest deep-sea ports in the region.”
She highlighted the project’s priority phases, starting with infrastructure development, including container terminals, main and secondary breakwaters, and Navy berths.
Other key activities include Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), market and financial studies, port access road construction, investment roadshows, marketing of the Ibom Industrial City, land acquisition, regularization of Free Trade Zone licenses with the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, and re-engagement with the Nigerian Ports Authority on concession negotiations.
She appealed for patience from the people, explaining that port development is complex and time-consuming. She pointed out that similar projects globally, often take up to 20 years from conception to commissioning.
Receiving the report, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the realization project, which he said was conceived about over 20 years ago.
The Governor applauded the Committee for their detailed and professional work, and dedication to ensuring the success of the project.
He paid tribute to past leaders who laid the foundation for the project, including former Governor Victor Attah, Senate President and former Governor, Godswill Akpabio, and immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel. He cautioned against politicizing the project, emphasizing that deep seaport development is “not a sprint but a marathon.”
He also highlighted decisive steps taken by his administration, including funding a full feasibility study, preparing investor fact sheets, constructing access roads, conducting geophysical and geotechnical studies, and establishing a project office in the State.
Eno noted the administration’s integration of land, air, and maritime sectors, citing over 1,300 kilometers of roads, expansion of Ibom Air, upgrades at Victor Attah International Airport, and ongoing maritime investments in Oron.
“We decided to bring everyone together and move all aspects of the deep seaport project to the front burner to enable us aggregate exactly what we need to do with timelines” he said.
Eno tasked the Committee to actively engage investors and the people, saying, “If we succeed with this project, Akwa Ibom wins.”
The Governor also directed the Commissioner for Special Duties to develop training initiatives for youths, ensuring that human capital needs are met and a skilled workforce is available for the construction phase and beyond.