Governor Umo Eno has reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to fund and drive the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project, describing the blue economy as a critical pathway to the state’s socio-economic growth and stability.
Speaking at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Uyo during the presentation of the project’s feasibility report, Eno expressed optimism that the over 20-year-old initiative would finally come to fruition under his leadership.
He also called on stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and industry players to rally behind the project to ensure its success.
The feasibility report was presented by a technical committee led by Mfon Usoro, who commended the project’s design as a catalyst for economic expansion.
According to her, the seaport will enhance Nigeria’s port capacity, improve ease of doing business, and operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Usoro further noted that the seaport is strategically linked to the Ibom Industrial City and will function as a Free Trade Zone, positioning it as a major trans-shipment hub and one of the largest deep-sea ports in the region.
Governor Eno praised the committee for its professionalism and acknowledged the contributions of past leaders who initiated and sustained the vision, including Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio, and Udom Emmanuel.
He urged that the project should not be politicized, emphasizing that “deep seaport development is not a sprint, but a marathon.”
Highlighting progress made so far, the governor listed key actions taken by his administration, including funding a comprehensive feasibility study, preparing investor fact sheets, constructing access roads, conducting geophysical and geotechnical surveys, and setting up a dedicated project office.
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He also pointed to broader infrastructure integration efforts, noting over 1,300 kilometers of roads, expansion of Ibom Air, upgrades at Victor Attah International Airport, and ongoing maritime investments in Oron—all aimed at transforming the state into a strategic maritime hub.
To support the project’s long-term success, Eno directed the development of youth training programmes to build the skilled workforce required for both construction and operations.
Usoro, in her remarks, revealed that significant milestones have already been achieved, including the appointment of programme managers and global transaction advisors, completion of feasibility and due diligence processes, financial modelling, and a transparent international bidding process that has produced preferred bidders.
The renewed push signals a major step forward for the Ibom Deep Seaport, a project widely seen as pivotal to unlocking the state’s economic potential.
