Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Ibom Deep Seaport project has received a fresh boost as the Akwa Ibom State Government reaffirmed its commitment to its actualization, with officials assuring that the long-awaited project remains a top priority.
This is as the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong, and Chairman of the Technical Committee on the Implementation of Ibom Deep Seaport, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, have pledged to deliver on Governor Umo Eno’s promise to see the project through.
During a meeting at the Technical Committee’s Project Office in Uyo, Mrs. Usoro expressed optimism about the project’s progress and commended the state government for its proactive approach.
“It’s a twin project—the Ibom Industrial City and the Ibom Deep Seaport. The industries planned for the Industrial City are designed to integrate seamlessly with the port,” she explained.
Providing updates, Usoro disclosed that the master plan for the Ibom Industrial City has been approved, with detailed infrastructure designs—including locations for power plants, water supply, drainage, and roads—fully completed.
She noted that with the sales office and city gate designs also approved, the next phase would be attracting investors.
“As an implementation committee, we have been dedicated to ensuring that this project becomes a reality. The people of this constituency must see that the government is sincere about developing the area,” Usoro added.
Responding, Comrade Ini Ememobong assured that the Ministry of Special Duties would work closely with the Technical Committee to bring the project to life.
“His Excellency has mandated me to work fully with you, and I am excited about this task. Beyond the project itself, we must also focus on developing local expertise—high-level, mid-level, and low-level skills—so that our people are positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that will come with the Deep Seaport,” Ememobong stated.
He also highlighted the importance of community engagement, stressing that smooth relations with host communities would be critical to the project’s success.
“If there is one project that the entire Akwa Ibom people want to see come to reality, it is the Deep Seaport. They understand how transformative it will be for the state. I assure you of the Ministry’s full support and Governor Umo Eno’s unwavering commitment,” he said.
Governor Eno had previously reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to make the Ibom Deep Seaport a priority in 2025, stating during last year’s Exco Inter-Ministerial Briefing that, “Ibom Deep Seaport is back on the front burner, and we have timelines for each sub-project.”
