Prototype of Ibom Deep Seaport (Aerial view. Photo credit : Business Day
Mercy Obot – Uyo
Ibom Deep Seaport proposed by the Akwa Ibom State Government has received a “certificate of no objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Certificate of no rejection is a document evidencing and authenticating that the provisions of the Law and the implementing regulations have been followed in the conduct of a procurement proceeding, and allowing the procuring entity to enter into a contract with, or effect payment to, a contractor, service provider or supplier from funds appropriated by the State House of Assembly or a Local Government Council”, according to Law Insider.
The Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport , Mr Akan Okon, disclosed this on Tuesday 17th November, while defending the Ministry’s fiscal proposal for 2021 before the State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriations and Finance.
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In his words, “we were waiting to receive the ‘certificate of no objection’ from the Bureau of Public Procurement to enable the Ibom Deep Seaport Project get the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”
“I am happy to tell this Committee that last week Monday, we got that ‘certificate of no objection’, with that, there is nothing stopping Ibom Deep Seaport Project from commencement.”
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Okon stressed that with the certificate, the Ibom deep seaport project will commence soon after approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“Within a couple of weeks when we receive the consent of FEC, the Board of Ibom Deep Seaport will begin construction in earnest.”
“For us as a Ministry, we do not have any doubt about the commitment of the Governor to get this project through because it is the project that is good for our country and the project that will change the narrative of our State.”
Responding, the Chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee, Hon. Uduak Odudoh commended the Commissioner’s commitment in securing the certificate and applauded his Ministry’s efforts in working toward achieving the completion agenda of the state government.
