AKWA IBOM,NPA SET 2015 TARGET FOR IBAKA Akwa Ibom, NPA set 2015 target for Ibaka Deep sea port …Akpabio grants NPA C of O for port area Barring any last minute changes, the proposed Ibaka Deep sea port would start receiving ocean lines not later than 2015, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State Chief Godswill Akpabio and the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Engr. Omar Suleiman have hinted. Governor Akpabio and Engr. Suleiman who expressed the resolve on Monday in Abuja at a brief event to mark the official hand over of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the over 5580 Sq meters of land area for the citing of the new port, said all infrastructures needed to fast -track the early completion of the port will be provided. This is even as the Governor pledged to within one month award contract for the dualisation of the port main access road to link the East –West road with a view to making it more intermodal The state Government equally handed over the master plan of the port to the Managing Director of NPA at the event. He said the state was spurred to fast-track work on the surveying and parceling out of the land where the port will be cited after the last visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state where he pledged support for citing of project in an area that has comparative advantage rather than based on ethnic sentiments. Governor Akpabio noted that the infrastructures for a deep sea port is huge, saying the state is prepared to offer assistance to NPA at whatever point it will be needed. He added that his government is fully ready to partner with the Organisation to ensure that the necessary infrastructure for effective take-off of the port is provided. “Whatever support that may be required to ensure that a big ocean going Liner comes to the port by 2015 will be provided by the state government. He allayed fears of security of investment in the port in view of the menace of the maritime pirates in the Nigerian territorial waters, saying that the federal government has granted the state it’s request to establish full military presence in that location. “Now we have NN Jubilee in the area, so with the presence of the Army, Navy, complementing the Marine Police, there will be adequate security of investments as the area will be a no go area for maritime robbers and other criminals.” The Governor envisages that when the multi-billion naira port project is completed, it will be the hub of oil and gas operation in the Gulf of Guinea. The Ibaka port is said to be between 17 and 18 meters draught without dredging and its quay area will span over two miles (length). It is hoped that on completion, mega vessels of over 10,000 TEUs will be calling at the port and that will make it the largest in the region. Earlier, the Managing Director of NPA expressing delight in the gesture of the Governor noted that the move to establish the deep sea port is a major step in the nation’s quest of becoming the hub of maritime operation in the West and Central African sub-region. He noted that what is needed to realize the project is infrastructure, assuring that Ports Authority will partner with Akwa Ibom State to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is provided. He disclosed that the port project is intermodal that sees the construction of port access roads and mono- rail to ensure easy evacuation of goods out of the port. He said the journey towards the construction of the Ibaka deep sea port dates back to the 70s but had not been taken with seriousness it deserves. “But with the new vision and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan the development of the port has become a must if the country is to achieve its dream of becoming the hub port of the sub-region. SOURCE nigerianports.org/news.aspx?id=251 This is great news! The operation of Ibaka seaport would drive further massive developments in Akwa Ibom and Neighboring states. Thank God for Governor Godswill Akpabio and president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR). posted on jtnng.blogspot/
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 14:58:54 +0000
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