The Akwa Ibom State government has urged the organized private sector to take advantage of its proposed deep sea port scheduled for commissioning in 2015.
The state Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah said, the proposed deep sea port is expected to complement the role of Ibom International Airport in facilitating the participation of local and foreign investors in the state economy.
He said the port is the first stage in the overall development of Ibaka, adding that the “partnership with NPA (Nigeria Port Authority) is on course.”
Explaining further, Umana said, “we (Akwa Ibom State) welcome private sector partnership. The state is conducive for business and industrialization.”
Already, the state government has issued the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the over 5580 sqare meters of land area for the new port to the NPA with a pledged to provide all necessary assistance.
When completed, according to the state government, Ibaka Seaport is expected to enjoy huge maritime traffic.
The sea port is expected to service the export processing zones in Ibaka, Ikot Abasi and Calabar, Sea-borne traffic bound for Tinapa and the South-East market.
The state Governor, Godswill Akpabio explained recently that the Ibaka Deep Sea Port project is capable of creating about 70,000 job opportunities for unemployed youths in the country when completed.
He also appealed to all Nigerians to support the project, adding that it entail convergence of ideas and finances, “wealth creation is all about job creation. We need to take our youths away from all kinds of vices.”
According to him, the Deep Sea Port is a Nigerian project and is neither for state or local government. “I don’t even see it as Federal Government project. For me, any project that is capable of creating about 50-70,000 jobs is a project that all Nigerians should support.”
The governor envisages that when the multi-billion naira port project is completed, it will be the hub of oil and gas operation in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Ibaka port is said to be between 17 and 18 meters draught without dredging and its quay area will span over two miles (length).