Ibom Deep Seaport: Gov Eno orders speedy completion of 7km access road
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has directed the contractors handling 7-kilometer access road project at the Ibom Deep Sea Port to expedite work and ensure speedy completion to give way for other projects in the area.
The governor, who gave the directive when paid an unscheduled visit to the project site on Friday, March 7, emphasized the importance of the access road, which leads to the Industrial City Gate, in ensuring seamless connectivity for the port’s development.
In further demonstration of commitment to the project’s timely execution, Governor Eno also directed the immediate commencement of the Access Gate construction, ground-breaking for Sales Offices, and the Container Terminal.
“These key developments will mark a significant step toward making the port a reality,” the governor added.
Governor Eno used the opportunity to caution host communities against disrupting government projects in their areas, urging them to support the initiative for greater economic good.
He highlighted the numerous benefits the project would bring, including job creation, increased trade, and commercial growth within the hub.
Acknowledging the magnitude of the project, the governor stated: “We must start something and see how far our strength can take us, even as we expect help.”
When completed, the Ibom Deep Sea Port is expected to position Akwa Ibom as a leading maritime hub, boosting trade, industrialization, and overall economic growth in the region.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant to the Governor, Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioners, Chairman, Mbo Local Government Council, Managing Director, Hensek, Engr Uwem Okoko and the contractor handling the access road, Engr Aiman Saiman of Amitec Construction.
Meanwhile, in furtherance of Governor Umo Eno’s promise to actualise the Ibom Deep Seaport project, the Akwa Ibom State Government has pledged its renewed commitment to continue to invest efforts and the needed resources to ensure the fulfilment of the Governor’s promise.
The pledge was made on Thursday, March 6, when the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Technical Committee on the Implementation of Ibom Deep Seaport, Mrs Mfon Usoro, at the Project Office of the Committee in Uyo.
In her remarks, Mrs Usoro commended the Commissioner for not only taking interest in the project, but also swinging into action immediately after his appointment, adding that the gesture was an indication of the state government’s renewed commitment to actualising the project.
Giving update on the progress recorded so far on the project, Mrs Usoro disclosed that the master-plan for the Ibom Industrial City has been approved, adding that the Committee’s role has been to provide the brain work while the implementation would be handled by the Ministry.
“It’s a twin project; the Ibom Industrial City and Ibom Deep Seaport. The Deep Seaport is situated in the Industrial City and the two projects were supposed to go together because the industries that are supposed to be located in the industrial city actually fit into the port.
“For the Ibom Industrial City, we have completed our work in the sense that the master plan has been approved. The detailed infrastructural design had been produced and approved; the location of the power plant, water dissemination plant, and all the utilities including the drawings for the drainage, the roads – secondary roads and the connecting ones.
“As an implementation committee, we have been dedicated to ensuring that the project is actualised so that the people of that constituency will see that the government is sincere about developing the area,” she said.
The Chairman of the Technical Committee further disclosed that with designs for the sales office and city gate completed and approved, the project was ready for the next phase which will be to market the project to investors.
In his response, Comrade Ememobong appreciated the Chairman and the committee for the job done so far in actualising the project, assuring of the Ministry’s full commitment to actualising the project.
“His Excellency has mandated me to work fully with you. It is a task I am excited about because even from the Ministry’s end, there is a lot for us to learn. This is an opportunity to develop local expertise and to retain same here.
“One of the key things we will also be discussing will be how we can develop high level, mid-level and low-level expertise for our people,” he said.
While emphasising the need to develop local expertise in other to position Akwa Ibom people for the opportunities that will be available in the Deep Seaport as well as working to actualise the project, Comrade Ememobong reassured that the collaboration will ensure critical issues like community relations among others are resolved.
“If there is one project that the entire Akwa Ibom people want to see come to reality, it is the Deep Seaport, because they understand how important the project is to the state. So, I commit to you that the Ministry is available for you. Everything you need from our end will be available.
“I can also assure you of His Excellency’s commitment. Remember, he gave his commitment publicly during the last Ministerial Briefing,” he assured.
He thanked Governor Umo Eno for entrusting them with the task of ensuring that the project is actualised, assuring Akwa Ibom people that both parties will work tirelessly to make their dreams of the Deep Seaport come true.
Recall that during the Exco Inter-Ministerial Briefing and End-of-Year Review last December, Governor Eno had promised that the Ibom Deep Seaport project will be a priority of the administration in 2025, saying “Ibom Deep Seaport is back on the front burner and we have timelines for each sub-project of the Seaport”.
