Tanya Davidson
Uyo — The apex socio-cultural group in Akwa Ibom, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, MMI, has challenged the Federal Government to demonstrate a concrete financial commitment to the Ibom Deep Seaport, citing what it described as growing federal investment and activity around ports in the Lagos axis.
In a statement signed by its International Public Relations Officer, Akparawa Idongesit Ikono, the group said the Federal Government appeared to be giving greater attention to port projects around Lagos while the Ibom Deep Seaport remained without a clear construction timeline.
MMI cited what it described as £746 million earmarked for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports and a reported $7 billion investment package for the Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun State.
“We welcome development anywhere in Nigeria. What is troubling, however, is the apparent inaction on the Ibom Deep Seaport project,” the group said.
The organisation argued that continued concentration of maritime activity around Lagos was imposing additional costs on businesses through congestion, logistics bottlenecks and demurrage.
“You cannot build a national economy around one congested gateway,” MMI said, arguing that Nigeria needed more functional ports rather than further concentration of cargo activity.
Ibom port as alternative gateway
MMI described the Ibom Deep Seaport as a potential national maritime asset capable of serving the South-South and South-East and providing an alternative gateway to Lagos.
“The Ibom Deep Seaport is not a favour to Akwa Ibom; it is a strategic national asset, a natural deep-water gateway to the Gulf of Guinea and a potential maritime hub for the South-South and South-East,” the group said.
It argued that developing the port could help diversify Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, reduce pressure on Lagos and expand economic activity around the Gulf of Guinea.
MMI also linked the development of the seaport to the wider transport infrastructure required to make it commercially viable.
The group called for accelerated completion of the East-West Road and the Calabar-Itu Highway, while criticising the reported decision to downgrade the latter from the dual carriageway awarded by the previous administration to a single carriageway.
MMI demands construction timeline
The group demanded an immediate financial commitment from the Federal Government and a clearly defined construction timetable for the Ibom Deep Seaport.
It also called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to clarify the current status of the project, particularly reports of a trip to France for a technical review involving potential investors.
MMI said transparency was necessary to establish where the project currently stands and what steps remain before construction can begin.
The group warned against allowing the seaport to become an election-season promise or political talking point.
“The Ibom Deep Seaport must not be reduced to another election-season project or political talking point. Akwa Ibomites and Nigerians are watching,” it said.
MMI called for what it described as a balanced national port policy based on economic considerations rather than sectional concentration.
“Enough promises. Show us commitment. Show us timelines. Start construction,” the group said.
