How inclusion of Governor Eno on Tinubu’s UK visit excited hope for Ibom Deep Seaport

The actualisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State conceptualised more than a decade ago could be closer than expected as Governor Umo Eno joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the first official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) by a Nigerian leader in recent times.

The project, which has witnessed a ground breaking and a road show staged in London to attract investors has yet to take off despite the creation of a Ministry of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport by the state government.

Governor Eno had attributed his decision to defect from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in June last year to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the need to actualise the deep-sea project which has a natural draught capable of accommodating large ocean-going vessels.

According to him, his decision was informed by the need to get the Ibom Deep Seaport running, a project previous administration could not implement.

In a video shared online by a media aide to the governor, it captured the moment Tinubu, while shaking hands with dignitaries who are members of his entourage also mentioned the governor’s name asking, “Umo, how are you?”.

Observers say the inclusion of the governor as part of the delegation of the President offers a golden opportunity for the governor to bring up the Ibom Deep Seaport project for discussion, adding that it may also present an added advantage to attract foreign investors.

The Ibom Deep Seaport project which aimed at boosting economic growth and development of Akwa Ibom State already has an implementation committee headed by renowned maritime expert, Mfon Usoroh.

Originally, part of the Ibom Industrial City project comprising key infrastructure, the Ibom Deep Seaport project involves the construction of a deep Seaport with modern facilities to stimulate economic development leverage on its natural draught.

Governor Eno, who has a rich background in the private sector as an entrepreneur, has promised to ensure the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport and has stated severally that the project could better be achieved with the support of the federal government.

With excellent road network, the project when completed would cut the number of hours spent by importers from the South-South and South East of the country in getting their imports to their destinations in industrial cities of Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi and Enugu.