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Over 100000 Jobs To Be Created At Ibaka Deep Seaport – Akpabio

By on December 15, 2011

Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the deep seaport to be cited at Ibaka near the state’s capital, Uyo would create over 100,000 jobs for the country’s largely unemployed population.

The governor who disclosed this at the concluded summit by the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) in Uyo with the theme “Unlocking Maritime Potential of Akwa Ibom State for Accelerated Development in Nigeria,” noted that the 129 kilometers stretch of land at the Ibaka port area would be a self-sustaining industrial city.

He said in the next few weeks, his government would award a contract for the dualisation of the road leading to the port, to correct the mistake in Apapa port area.

The governor, according to a press statement signed by Chief Micheal Ajayi, General Manager in charge of Public Affairs of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) quoted the governor to have added that in partnership with the Federal Government, a multimodal transport system would be built to include rail lines linking Port-Harcourt and Calabar.

He said, “The area designated for the project has the longest coastline and just five kilometers away from the capital city. With a depth of between 15 and 18 meters water channel and 129 kilometers stretch of land it has some of the best port features that could be found anywhere in the world.

“With Ibaka deep seaport, we will have a seaport that will not require perennial dredging. Investors will be in business for a very long time without bothering about dredging.

“The port will serve all countries in the Gulf of Guinea. The peaceful nature of the community and availability of undeveloped land will make the area a self-sustaining industrial city when the port is completed. In addition to the port, the area will also habour independent power plants, refinery and industries.

“It sounds great and unbelievable but achievable. It will employ 100,000 Nigerians, strengthen our country’s position in oil and gas sector in the world. It will be the nation’s gateway to the rest of the world through the Gulf of Guinea.”

Governor Akpabio handed over the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the land for citing of the seaport measuring 5,580 square meters to the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Engr. Omar Suleiman a few weeks ago . “Time means everything. I’m already on my second term and there’s no third term. I can’t wait to see this project realised. I share the passion and I see that passion in Suleiman,” he said.

In his speech, Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Engr. Omar Suleiman said that the Ibaka deep seaport project will transform the state into a commercial and industrial hub of West and Central Africa.