… over 10, 000 jobs to be created
…Operations start in March, 2020

Highly satisfied with the progress of work at the Ibom Sea Port, IDSP, the Federal Government has confirmed its full adoption of the project and therefore commends Akwa Ibom Government for its focus and commitment towards ensuring that the seaport becomes functional within record time.

Speaking while on an on-the-spot assessment of progress of work on the project located in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, today, The Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulating Commission (IGRC), Mr. Chidi Audu-Izuway, said what he has seen further confirms Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s determination and promise to industrialize the State and thus make it a regional commercial hub.

The DG who led a team of technical partners, officials from supervising Federal Ministry of Transport, Nigeria Ports Authority, and other stakeholders for the on-the-site tour of the seaport, said that judged by the natural depth of the seaport and the sophisticated modern facilities it hopes to have, the project on completion has the capacity to create upwards of 5000 to 10, 000 employment opportunities and also impact positively on revenue generation for the country.

“I am so delighted to see these things by myself today. Ibom Deep Seaport will be the best seaport in Nigeria and the sub-region with natural depth, and it will also help to decongest Lagos, Port Harcourt and other seaports. I’m amazed at the level of work recorded so far by the Akwa Ibom State Government”, Mr. Izuwah expressed.

The highly impressed visiting DG further stated that with project, Akwa Ibom State holds greater hope not only for its citizens and but the entire country and wished that it was ready just now: How I wish the seaport was ready just now to solve our many needs. It has the ability to create 5000 to 10, 000 direct jobs” he estimated. He there reiterated that the federal government has fully adopted the project and shall do everything possible to support the state government towards driving the project to logical conclusion within time frame.

He observed that, the road infrastructure outlay designed for access to and evacuation of goods and services from the deep seaport was world class and visionary, adding that, as God’s natural gift to Nigeria, Ibom Deep Seaport will be harnessed by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government, the National Assembly,Technical Partners and core investors to decongest Lagos when it becomes operational.

The DG said the Super Highway as well as carefully designed road networks put in place by the State Government which the Works Commissioner, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen conducted them around, is proof that, the State is very committed and determined to accomplish the vision of a functional, world class deep seaport.

Mr Izuwah dismissed fears that the Federal Government may play politics with the project, insisting that, President Muhammad Buhari is totally committed to transforming all parts of Nigeria with positive development with no political bias whatsoever.

Recall that early this month, the Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. had emphasized that the seaport when completed will not only improve the economy of the state but also create more employment opportunities for Nigerians across demography. Conveying his message through the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon, in a chat with newsmen, the governor had stated: “Government cannot do it alone. More hands are needed to make this project a success”.

The State contingent to today’s tour of the project led by the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, comprised the Commissioner for Information, Sir Charles Udoh and the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Sea Port, IDSP, Mr. Akan Okon as well as other functionaries from relevant government ministries and parastatal