Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Akwa Ibom State government has offered explanations on the choice of name and location of Ibom Deep Seaport.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said the name “Ibom Deep Seaport” was chosen to reflect the Akwa Ibom Brand, explaining that the previous name “Ibaka Deep Seaport” did not project the state in global light.
Ekuwem who is also a member of the Technical Committee on the Realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport, gave the clarification at the weekend, during an engagement meeting with stakeholders of Oron Communities, held in Oron, Oron Local Government Area of the State.
On the location of the project, the SSG explained that the seaport was off the Atlantic coast of Unyenghe/Ibeno, assuring that the state government would integrate all interests in the siting of the seaport.
“Truth is that we have a brand and that brand is Akwa Ibom State. So you would notice that most of the major projects we have is either prefixed with ‘Ibom’ or ‘Akwa’.
“For example, we have Ibom Air, Akwa Ibom State University, Ibom Hotels and Golf Resorts and so on.”
Also, the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon, urged indigenes of the state to acquire relevant skills and qualifications that would enhance their chances of working at the port, when it becomes operational.
Okon also provided more insight as regards job opportunities that would be available at the port.
He revealed that huge sums have been invested into the Deep Seaport project and therefore sued for more support from Oron people to ensure that the project sees the light of the day.
Chairperson of the Technical Committee on the Realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport, Mrs Mfon Usoro, explained to the stakeholders the technical aspects of the port, as well as the environmental and social impacts of the project.
Responding on behalf of the Ibom deep seaport host communities, President-General of Oron Union, Bishop Etim Ante, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his interest in clearing certain issues before full takeoff of the project.
Ante appealed to the state government to accommodate and integrate the interest of Oron people in the project, for the overall benefits of Oron people.