Some agencies of the federal government have been mandated by the House of Representatives to work with the Akwa Ibom State government towards bringing to life, the much talked about Ibom Deep Sea Port.
The organs of the federal government include the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other relevant agencies.
This follows a motion by the Member Representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Leader, Akwa Ibom House of Representatives Caucus, Dr Unyime Idem. The motion was co-sponsored by nine other members of the caucus.
Idem noted that the global economy was increasingly shaped by marine trade and the blue economy, which encompasses the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation, emphasizing that “these resources remain largely untapped in Akwa Ibom State, leading to the loss of potential foreign direct investment (FDI) and reduced economic opportunities that could significantly improve the standard of living in the State and across the country.”
The motion noted that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) projected that the Ibom Deep Seaport could attract investments worth over $5.6 billion, but decried that the project has remained stalled, hindering the development of intermodal transport systems, limiting Nigeria’s full participation in the blue economy, and weakening its export and logistics competitiveness.
Idem also highlighted that when realized, the Ibom Deep Seaport will directly stimulate local economies, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, catalyze industrial growth, strengthen maritime value chains, and facilitate the full implementation of Export Processing Zones (EPZ) blueprints.
“Nigeria’s vast coastline and Akwa Ibom State’s strategic location on the Atlantic Ocean offer immense potential for export-driven economic expansion through the establishment of the Ibom Deep Seaport. The State produces several exportable commodities such as cocoa (a major non-oil export), palm oil, palm kernel, cassava, maize, timber, rubber, fish, and seafood. It is also proximate to abundant natural resources and solid minerals, including crude oil, natural gas, kaolin, and limestone, key materials for manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and construction.”
“The blue economy currently contributes about 2% to Nigeria’s GDP, and with the President’s strategic proposal to raise this to between 5% and 10%, the realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport would be a major driver in achieving this goal.”
The federal lawmaker expressed the hope that the establishment and realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport will lead to the expansion of haulage networks, boost export capacity, attract foreign direct investments, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP.
