Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, has reiterated his administration’s resolve to deliver the Ibom Deep Seaport project, expressing confidence that the long-awaited maritime initiative will become a reality.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday while receiving the project’s feasibility report from the technical committee at the Government House in Uyo.
He described the development as a significant milestone in the journey toward actualising the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure.
He commended the committee for a thorough and professional job, noting that his government has taken concrete steps to move the project forward.
The projects include funding feasibility studies, preparing investor documentation, and conducting critical technical evaluations.
Eno, however, cautioned that developing a deep seaport requires time, patience, and careful planning, stressing that such large-scale projects are not executed overnight.
Presenting the report, Mfon Usoro, chairman of the technical committee, explained that the Ibom Deep Seaport is structured under a public-private partnership arrangement aimed at driving economic growth and expanding Nigeria’s maritime capacity.
She noted that the project is designed to function as a major transshipment hub and would be integrated with the Ibom Industrial City to enhance industrialisation and boost regional trade.
Usoro further highlighted that deep seaport developments are capital-intensive and often span several years, sometimes taking up to two decades from conception to completion in other parts of the world.
When completed, the Ibom Deep Seaport is expected to significantly improve port operations in Nigeria by reducing congestion at existing facilities, increasing cargo handling capacity, and creating substantial employment opportunities.
The project is widely seen as a strategic investment that could transform Akwa Ibom State into a key maritime and industrial hub in the region.
