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Ibaka Deep Sea Port Project Delayed by Legal Challenges

By on November 27, 2012

Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio

The commencement of work on the Ibaka deep sea port may suffer a protracted setback if the Chairman of Mercury Maritime Concession Company Limited Rear Admiral Okoja (rtd) continues with his  legal challenge of  the project .

His grievance is that the Ministry of Transport, Nigerian Ports Authority and the Akwa Ibom State Government snatched his idea and concept without acknowledgement.

In a development monitored by ThisDay newspapers Rear Admiral Okoja through his  Lawyer  Falana and Falana Chambers in a letter of petition to the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory  Commission, asked them to intervene in the  situation or face legal action.

Specifically, ICRC was asked to invoke section 20 of the ICRC Act, 2005 to “prevent the unfair procurement of our client’s concept/project and involvement in subsequent litigation which may arise thereof”.

The Retired Admiral said  the project was conceived since 1993 as a gateway and hub designed to transform the entire region into a strategic, commercial, maritime, energy and industrial economic zone in the globe.

He believed that the Minister of Transport was Ill-advised into signing a tripartite  agreement for the development of the  deep sea port through the activities of some unscrupulous staff in the ministry.

Admiral Okoja stated that if  the issue is not addressed properly he will be left with no other option than to seek redress in the court. Meanwhile spokesman for the Nigerian Ports Authority Chief Michael Ajayi  said when contacted that his Institution was not aware of the letter and  claim by Rear Admiral Okoja.

Falana Chambers stated in the letter “We therefore wish to urge you to use your good office to halt the issuance of approval of your directorate in respect of the construction of the refinery in Akwa Ibom. In the alternative, we urge you to suspend the construction of the refinery pending the outcome of the decision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the ICRC. The prompt action of your Directorate in respect of our demand will reduce the risk of your involvement in subsequent litigation which may arise thereof”.