Mr Udom Emmanuel, Governor, Akwa Ibom State. (Photo credit : Govt House)
Abasifreke Effiong – Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has said that the Ibom deep seaport which recently received approval of the federal government will change the economic landscape of Akwa Ibom State for the better.
Governor Emmanuel who spoke to select journalists in the State on Monday in the State Exco chamber said when the seaport and industrial city are fully operational, the economy of the state will receive tremendous boosts particularly in revenue, job creation and skills development.
While thanking the federal government for approving the updated business scale for the Ibom deep seaport, the Governor said the project will improve the fortunes of the state.
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“The Ibom Deep Seaport project can change the economic landscape of the State forever. What we expect as a government from you, journalists, is to promote that project. Let us promote that project so that more investors can come in and invest in it.”
“It is our project. We have to promote it. I urge you to talk about Akwa Ibom State in a way that will not scare investors. I like telling people that money is the biggest coward, it does not go where there is no peace. Akwa Ibom State is peaceful, this is the kind of story we should tell to attract investors who have money to invest in our State.”
Emmanuel said his administration is working hard to ensure that it increases the equity holding of the State in the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
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The Governor said the approval of the Ibom deep seaport project is in sync with his administration’s agenda of developing the three gateways (Aviation, Land transportation and Maritime) to the state as key strategies to her industrialization drive for the state.
The Federal Executive Council, FEC, at her 36th meeting on Wednesday 16th December, 2020 approved the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
FEC’s approval for the Ibom Deep Seaport project was confirmed to The Dune Newspaper by the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday 17th December.
Groups and individuals in Akwa Ibom State have thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Executive Council for giving approval for the takeoff of Ibom deep seaport and have equally lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for pursuing the project vigorously to its current stage.
One of those who commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for the giant milestone recorded on the Ibom deep seaport project is Mr Ita Benedict.
Benedict who is the Chief Executive Officer of MediaKraft, a top-notch media consultancy firm in Nigeria, in an online post lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for “pursuing the project with Messianic zeal and commitment” and noted the contributions made towards the project by the Obong Victor Attah and Chief Godswill Akpabio administrations.
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He said a new future beckons for Akwa Ibom State with the Ibom deep seaport project and urged youths in the state to rise up and begin to seek relevant trainings and international certifications in the maritime sector for job opportunities that the seaport will generate.
“With the granting of final business approval for the take-off of Ibom deep seaport, Akwa Ibom is positioned to become the new frontier- a veritable destination of choice for business, industry and tourism in the Gulf of Guinea.”
“With the coming of the blue economy, Akwa Ibom youths have been offered a once in a life time opportunity to get prepared and position themselves. The opportunities will require global best practices certifications. The time to rise in search of that future is now. Like eating yam with red oil while waiting for pounded yam and white soup in homes where it was possible, the time is nigh to get certifications while awaiting the big bang.”
“This is a huge win for the State. It is an internal revenue and business game changer for the state and the people respectively. To all Akwa Ibom people, a big congratulations for the new future that’s beckoning. I am super excited about the news. A huge turnkey project for the country has just begun”, Benedict said.
The Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon, gave details on the Ibom Deep Seaport on a state government-sponsored programme on radio, Akwa Ibom Mandate Today.
Recently, The Dune reported that Ibom deep seaport has received certificate of no objection from BPP
According to Mr Okon, “the Ibom Deep SeaPort will be made up of 10 terminals which would contain; marine services centre, Naval facility for Security, and a Custom yard outside the Port terminal.”
“It would have a 20km approach channel; 450m width to provide for 2-lane traffic. It would have two breakwaters (1,350m and 600m) total quay length of about 7.5km (fully developed), berth depth of 16m+”
“The Channel depth (18m+), turning basin 600m design for container vessel of 120,000 DWT”, the Commissioner said.
The Ibom deep seaport project was conceived and initiated by Obong Victor Attah, who was Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 1999 to 2007.
