Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has expressed his administration's willingness to prioritize the Deep Sea project inherited from previous administrations, but stated that it is impossible for any state government to execute such a large project alone.
The governor stated this during an inter-ministerial briefing held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo, lamenting that the construction of a Deep Water Port is capital intensive and would require the conscious collaboration of the Federal Government.
According to him, although the amount of money required is large, the Ibom deep sea port is once again in the foreground with a timeline for its completion and the state government will try to meet it.
Eno said the state government needs the support of investors and the federal government, and said the state government was able to attract investors for the project, but two of them withdrew following a petition from the host community.
The governor revealed that in addition to the Alta Mar Port project, his administration will focus on the aviation sector, which includes the acquisition of aircraft for the state-owned Ibom Air, the construction of the terminal building, the runway, the taxiway and the construction of a medical village.
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Explaining the essence of the inter-ministerial briefing, Eno said he is laying out his administration's achievements in 18 months before the public for constructive criticism and necessary applause when needed.
The government is not perfect, far from it, we are not afraid of criticism, but it must be constructive criticism, not a condemnation, because condemnation is weighty,” he said.
Previously, the chairman of the Ibom Deep Seaport Project, Barr. Mfon Usoro said both the design and feasibility study of the project are expected to be completed by 2025.
According to her, the first phase of the Ibom deep sea port is expected to be completed in 2027 with two container terminals, stating that although the project was delayed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, it was already underway.
He thanked the governor for his support for the project and expressed optimism that the Umo Eno administration will create the seaport.
The ministerial briefing, attended by traditional rulers, non-governmental organisations, women's groups, youth and professional bodies, gave commissioners from different state ministries the opportunity to explain their achievements and vision for the coming year.