Former commissioner tasks Akwa Ibom Government to complete Ibaka Seaport

A former Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom, Dr Effiong Edunam, has called on the state government to expedite action on the Ibaka Deep Seaport project.

Edunam told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo that so much publicity had been done about the project in the last four years without any work done in the project site.

“No single structure is on ground at the project site. There is not even a motorable road to the project site,’’ he said.

Edunam urged the state government to demonstrate its commitment to develop the area by starting the project.

NAN reports that the Ibaka deep seaport is one of the key projects conceived by Gov. Godswill Akpabio’s administration, as a major component of Ibom Industrial City.

The envisaged Ibom Industrial City is expected to house an export processing zone, oil and gas processing facilities, a medium size refinery, petrochemical plant, residential estates, hospitals, schools and hotels.

The former commissioner, however, expressed optimism that the seaport would open up the area and lead to rapid economic development of Oron when completed.

Meanwhile, a contractor, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), has indicated interest in the development of the seaport.

The company had announced initial investment offer of N480 billion in the first phase of the project.

The Federal Government had earlier set up a technical committee to advice on the commencement of the project on the 14, 900 hectares of land acquired by Akwa Ibom Government. (NAN)