Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Governor Udom Emmanuel has commissioned a nine meter sea vessel, MV Norfin Swift, built by an indigneous ship construction firm, Norfin Offshore Shipyard Ltd, with a resolve to attract more investments to the state.
The inauguration ceremony, which held at the weekend, at the shipyard located along the Oruk-Anam axis of the East-West Road, also culminated in the official unveiling of the multi-billion shipyard by the Governor.
The vessel, which is designed for security support logistics as well as oil and gas related services, according to the Governor Udom, signifies readiness of the state to take advantage of the opportunities in the nation’s maritime, oil and gas industry.
Unveiling the facility, Governor Udom Emmanuel said the state government would partner with the ship firm, while commending the investor, Engr. Charles Udonwa, a Singaporean-based ship builder for his decision to site the shipyard in the state.
The Governor also condemned the recent attack on the shipyard by hoodlums, charging the host community to see the investment as an asset that must be protected, as the shipyard would be of benefit to the entire country.
“Today marks a seed’s harvest in the entire Gulf of Guinea, we don’t take this for granted. But it is worthy of emulation.
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“I hope the host community will behave well. My brother Charles I share your pains in the last attack. Whatever we are going to do as a state government to ameliorate that pain, we will do. Locating this facility here is for the benefit of the entire country”
Also, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented by the Minister of State for Power, Engr. Goddy Abba, assured of the readiness of the Federal Government to partner the company.
For his part, Chairman of Norfin Group, Engr. Charles Udonwa, commended the state government for creating an investment friendly climate in the state.
Udonwa assured that his company’s presence in the state, will help Akwa Ibom become a major player in the nation’s oil and gas industry.