Mkpoikana Udoma
09 November 2016, Sweetcrude, Uyo – The Akwa Ibom State government has announced plans to partner with investors to build a $6 billion world-class harbour to serve as logistics and supplies centre for oil and gas industries in the Niger Delta region.
Senior Special Assistant on Petroleum Matters to Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Essien Esema, while inspecting the site for the proposed harbour at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state, said the harbour will have logistics and supplies centre with jetties for oil and gas activities, waiting lounge, warehouses, offices and helipad.
Esema, who decried that ExxonMobil and its subsidiary companies as well as other oil and gas producing companies operating in the state, were being serviced from Onne harbour in Rivers State because of absence of logistics centre in the state, explained that at the moment, three private investors had indicated interest to build a harbour in the state.
Esema, in company with officials of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, who inspected all the undeveloped jetties in Eket, Ibeno and Ikot Abasi local government areas of the state, said the maritime potentials of the state have been neglected over the years.
He hinted that building a harbour in the state would generate employment opportunities for indigenes as well as yield revenue to the government.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel is interested in this project, the project is viable. I came with some officials from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to see how the state can enjoy full operations of the agency here.
“This harbour will boost employment for our people in the seafaring and stevedoring business at the seaport.”
On his part, the Chief Maritime Labour Officer of NIMASA, Mr. Lawal Abdullahi, assured that the agency would liaise with the state government to make maritime operations viable in the state.
Disclosing that Akwa Ibom State currently had no registered and recognised jetty, he said: “The state has very vast potential and lot of untapped maritime resources. NIMASA is interested to expand its operational office here. Today’s visit is an eye opener. We have seen the illegality going on here and the revenue leakages.”
