IBOM DEEP SEAPORT: LET REASONS PREVAIL
It is rather very sad, unfortunate and completely unnecessary the altercations that have ensued on the Akwa Ibom Deep Seaport Project, a novel economic venture with enormous benefits.
Most worrisome are the rather caustic, profane and discourteous attacks against His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, following his startling revelation that the deep seaport project was almost stalled occasioned by strings of petitions purportedly written by some individuals or groups from Oro nation.
WHY THE BROUHAHA AFTER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVAL?
Why now? Why should such embarrassing obstruction come only after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the construction of the Ibom Deep Seaport Project – an idea conceived several years ago and spanning through many administrations in the state?
Ibom Patriots, as a pan-Akwa Ibom socio-political organisation, is piqued by this sad tale and wishes therefore to appeal for calm from all concerned in the matter for the overall best interest of the catchment areas and the state in general. Akwa Ibom State Government did not conceive this project only for it to fizzle out at this stage when implementation is at hand.
The enthusiasm has been high for the commencement of the transformational project following the emergence of Bollore Transport Logistics, France and Power China Consultants as preferred bidders. With reported cost outlay of $4.6 billion; the first phase of the seaport which would be executed at $2.016 billion has already been approved by the Federal Government and it is to be built on a private-public partnership (PPP).
In this wise, we took a cursory look at the entire project and its benefits, hence our decision to speak on it and seek urgent peaceful resolution. Firstly, the Ibom Deep Seaport offers a maritime gateway to Sao Tome Joint Development, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Angola, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger and Chad as well as offering multi-modal connections and connectivity with unparalleled access to coastal railway lines, the Victor Attah International Airport and an extensive national road network.
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Available information indicates that the project is also coming with a capacity to generate more than 300,000 jobs and other countless cumulative effects. It behooves us all to ensure that the seaport project does not fail. Similarly, as a trans-shipment port for the West and Central African region, the Ibom Deep Seaport will handle container break-bulk, dry-bulk and liquid cargo to stimulate business activities.
Again, it will account for a gargantuan leap in trans-national trade activities as it would handle large vessels that can load over 13,000 containers in one voyage. As a project whose ownership cut across the Federal Government through Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) with Akwa Ibom State government and other private investors, through the PPP arrangement, it has key features comparable to the best seaports in other climes.
It goes too that the port will offer short distance to destination markets in order to reduce cost and maximise benefits. It will also offer a large gateway market size to attract direct vessel service and sizeable trans-shipment cargo for feeder shipping network connection. These distinguishing features make the port completely unique and strategic to the maritime economy and international trade portfolio of the country.
SEEING BEYOND THE NOW
That the approval for its construction eventually came through is what should be celebrated and not for the project to be trapped in unwholesome disagreement on issues that are quite reconcilable. We must see the project beyond now in terms of the imminent economic potentials.
That Governor Udom Emmanuel boldly mentioned and brought to the fore the fact that something was amiss on the dream project and went ahead to disclose the petitioners during the 9th Series of his “Governor’s Speak Programme” on Saturday, September 25, 2021, broadcast live on Arise TV and all Radio and TV Stations in Akwa Ibom State, should rather be deciphered as a candid concern for the survival of the project. We do not believe he wants the project to suffer still-birth after all the efforts of his administration and the previous regimes. Utter sense of patriotism is demanded within this context to really comprehend the mood of the governor.
It is obvious therefore that the governor does not want Ibom Deep Seaport to be encumbered as his tenure is fast winding down. Without holding brief for the governor, we believe his expression at that material time of the live interview was thus a reflection of his pains and fears. There is no way it cannot be worrisome for a chief executive who faces such challenge(s) against the background of the huge potentials the Akwa Ibom Deep Seaport is coming with once it takes off, to completely keep quiet. To do so will amount to half-hearted service to the people, and we least expect that from Governor Udom Emmanuel.
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IBOM DEEP SEAPORT AND THE COLLECTIVE INTERESTS OF AKWA IBOM STATE
The collective interests of all Akwa Ibom people will be in jeopardy if the project is stalled. And we dont expect such at all to happen. The contending issue(s) being canvassed by parties in Oro, particularly a respectable group like Oron Union, can be amicably resolved through engagement processes between the State Government, the Oro Community and others. We can recall that there is a broad-based technical committee headed by Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency as chairman while Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Mr. Chidi Izuwah, Mr. Idongesit Udofa, Engr. Ekong Umo-Otong, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan, Barr. Aniekan Ukpanah, Mr. Charles Udonwah, Senator (Mrs) Akon Eyakenyi and Engr. Etido Inyang as members. The work of the committee was further enhanced with technical inputs from consultants, the Federal Government through its MDAs, amongst others.
We believe that since this committee is still in place, it can with other stakeholders, handle issues of discontent for the overall interest of us all. Let us give peace a chance.
RESPECTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Accordingly, we restate that there is no need for further petition or throwing of brickbats against the State Chief Executive. We must appreciate the fact that the Office of the Governor, no matter who is occupying it, is our collective dignity. Piling rude, insolent, contemptuous and outright discourteous remarks against the Governor is therefore most unfair and should be discontinued forthwith.
The audio in circulation, insulting the Governor unreservedly and in an uncouth manner, is totally condemnable. Worse still, extending such bile attack to the Governor’s late father is rather an ire taken too far. Our customs and traditions abhor casting aspersion on the memory of the dead.
Within the ranks of Ibom Patriots, the government, academia and other bodies and organisations worldwide, there are Oro intelligentsias – eminent men and women of letters, highly resourceful and mannered. That the narrator in the offensive audio in circulation speaks in Oro dialect doesnt mean that he is speaking for Oro. We cannot believe so. Rather, his utterances are simply personal. The entire sarcastic vituperations cannot represent the good people of Oro.
THE WAY FORWARD
We passionately implore the Akwa Ibom State Government either through the Office of the Governor or the Technical Committee and leadership of Oro to open up dialogue, and be willing to involve other stakeholders and groups in the state towards resolving the matter. All issues must be put on the table and discussed.
While we urge the Government side to listen to and address the concerns of the Oro people, we particularly urge the leadership of Oro to cease going outside to vent their displeasure on their disapprovals on the project, especially location, et al. It is our firm belief that together we can collectively navigate even the rough road and walk through with ease no matter the quagmire besetting the project.
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At all times, the interest of Akwa Ibom State is what should be paramount and predominantly protected. As a community of shared beliefs, interests and ancestry; internal resolutions should always be the option without exhibiting public altercations as witnessed in the current face-off.
We plead with Governor Udom Emmanuel to bear the development with equanimity as a God-fearing leader, forgive the traducers and forge ahead with the lofty project.
We also urge Oron Union and others to embrace peace, modesty and decorum while making agitations. Let peace prevail so that we can have Ibom Deep Seaport project to be desirably actualised.
For Ibom Patriots:
Obong Bassey Inuaeyen
Chancellor
Rt. Hon. Barr. Usenobong Akpabio
Secretary General
Dr Okon Emah
Uyo Senatorial District Chairman
Arc Okon Obot
Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Chairman
Sir Adasi Ubulom
Eket Senatorial District Chairman
