Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has expressed optimism that his successor and next administration will complete the Ibom deep seaport project, by ensuring that with a shoreline of over 29 nautical miles, the seaport creates wealth for the state.
Udom in his speech to mark his 7th anniversary as governor of Akwa Ibom State, said his emergence as governor seven years ago was a contract to rewrite the Akwa Ibom story and raise the profile of the State as an emerging industrial hub, as well as to restore peace, civility and tolerance in governance.
The governor added that his emergence was also a contract to move the lever of development and growth of the people and the State through industrialization and infrastructural renaissance using the three gateways of development; Land, Air and Sea.
He said the contract, above all, was signed, overseen, and affirmed with ecclesiastical blessing and clarity since The Almighty God, alone, is the Author and Finisher of his undertakings.
“The third leg of our industrialisation agenda was focused on Maritime Development. Today, the Ibom Deep Seaport, which was awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council, has finally been approved, thus situating us on the path for the realization of this great and impactful project.
“You will recall that upon being sworn in, one of the Technical Committees I had instituted was that of the realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
“We thank God, that we have finally gotten this process started and it is my hope the next administration will take this project further and ensure that with a shoreline of over 29 nautical miles, the Ibom Deep Seaport will move the economy of our State higher, create employment and wealth for our people and change the dynamics of growth and development of our people.”
The governor also said that apart from his industralization agenda, he has also developed infrastructures including roads, hospitals and setting the pace in aviation sector, amongst others.
“We promised to rapidly industrialize our State and change the narrative of her profile as a purely civil-service oriented State.
“Today, with two recessions and a pandemic, and in spite of the national security challenges, and our controlling monetary and fiscal policies, we have maintained peace in our State, which in turn has brought us Foreign Direct Investments which has helped inch us up according to the National Bureau of Statistics as the second destination for foreign investors.”
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