Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the actualization of the Ibom Deep Seaport project, expressing strong confidence that the decades-long initiative is finally nearing fruition.
Speaking at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Uyo on Wednesday, the Governor received the project’s comprehensive feasibility report from the Technical Committee, marking a pivotal step in the state’s industrial roadmap.
Governor Eno commended the committee for their professional rigor and dedication, noting that the project, which was conceived over 20 years ago, remains a cornerstone of the state’s economic future.
He paid tribute to his predecessors former Governor Victor Attah, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel for laying the foundational work upon which his administration is now building.
Emphasizing that deep seaport development is a marathon rather than a sprint, the Governor cautioned against the politicization of the project, urging stakeholders to focus on the long-term collective benefit.
Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman and maritime expert, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, highlighted that the seaport is designed as a major transshipment hub within a Public-Private Partnership model.
Integrated with the Ibom Industrial City and positioned as a Free Trade Zone, the port is expected to drive massive industrialization and improve the ease of doing business across the region.
Mrs. Usoro detailed several critical milestones already achieved, including the completion of financial modeling, due diligence, and a transparent international bidding process that has identified preferred bidders.
The Governor outlined several decisive actions taken by his administration to move the project to the front burner, including the funding of the feasibility study, the construction of essential access roads, and the establishment of a dedicated project office.
He situated the seaport within a broader multi-modal transport strategy that integrates the expansion of Ibom Air, infrastructure upgrades at Victor Attah International Airport, and over 1,300 kilometers of road networks across the state.
Governor Eno also directed the Commissioner for Special Duties to initiate specialized training programs for local youths to ensure a skilled workforce is ready for the construction and operational phases.
The technical roadmap outlined in the report prioritizes the development of container terminals, Navy berths, and primary breakwaters. Subsequent phases will include Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), the regularization of Free Trade Zone licenses with the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, and renewed concession negotiations with the Nigerian Ports Authority.
While acknowledging the complexity of such a massive undertaking, Mrs. Usoro appealed for public patience, noting that global benchmarks for similar projects often span two decades from conception to commissioning.