Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The long-awaited Ibom Deep Sea Port Project has recorded a major breakthrough as the Akwa Ibom State Government and its prospective partners advanced discussions on investment, project execution, and commercial viability following a high-level technical session in Paris.
Governor Umo Eno led the strategic engagement with Africa Global Logistics, AGL Group, where stakeholders reviewed the recently completed Technical Feasibility Report prepared by Worley Parsons and charted a pathway toward implementation of what is expected to become one of Nigeria’s largest maritime infrastructure projects.
The development signals growing momentum for the multi-billion-dollar project, which is designed to unlock trade opportunities, attract industrial investments, and position Akwa Ibom as a key maritime and logistics gateway in the Gulf of Guinea.
At the meeting, Governor Eno emphasized the urgency of moving beyond studies and planning into actual project execution, stressing the need for a clear implementation framework.
The governor “emphasized the need to accelerate project delivery and called for clear timelines, defined milestones, and actionable next steps to move the project from the planning stage to execution,” according to a statement issued by Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah.
The technical session focused on examining critical investment pathways, implementation strategies, and measures required to ensure the long-term sustainability of the port project.
Stakeholders also reviewed recommendations contained in the feasibility report, which is expected to guide future investment decisions and project development phases.
The Akwa Ibom State Government and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to delivering the project, describing the Ibom Deep Sea Port as a transformative blue economy asset with significant economic potential.
According to the statement, both parties expressed a “shared commitment to advancing the Ibom Deep Sea Port initiative, a landmark Blue Economy project with the potential to position the State as a leading maritime, trade, and logistics hub in the Gulf of Guinea.”
SweetCrude Reports noted that the deep seaport, if established, could stimulate large-scale investments in shipping, logistics, manufacturing, oil and gas services, and export-oriented industries across Nigeria’s South-South region.
The project is also expected to complement ongoing efforts by the state government to diversify the economy, expand infrastructure, and leverage Akwa Ibom’s strategic coastal location to attract international trade and maritime businesses.
Governor Eno was accompanied to the meeting by the Chairman of the Technical Committee on the Ibom Deep Sea Port Project and former Director-General of NIMASA, Mrs. Mfon Usoro; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Managing Director of Hensek Integrated Services, Engr. Uwem Okoko; and other members of the state delegation.
With the feasibility study completed and investor discussions advancing, the project appears to be entering a critical phase as stakeholders seek to convert years of planning into one of Nigeria’s most ambitious maritime infrastructure investments.
