Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has called on international partners backing the planned Ibom Deep Seaport to provide firm delivery schedules and defined milestones, urging them to shift the project from planning into implementation. Speaking during a high-level technical discussion in Paris, France, the governor said clearer timelines and actionable next steps are needed to keep the project moving after years of delays under successive administrations.
Push for faster delivery on Ibom Deep Seaport
The governor’s request came during an engagement and working session with the Africa Global Logistics (AGL) Group on Friday. In comments relayed through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, Eno urged the partners to accelerate the seaport’s execution timetable and move the initiative beyond design and review stages.
Certification and renewed momentum under Tinubu
Ibom Deep Seaport is one of the Nigerian deep-water port proposals that President Bola Tinubu recently approved for certification and compliance procedures. The governor highlighted that the project has faced setbacks in successive administrations, and he said his renewed push is aimed at restoring momentum toward realizing the seaport.
Earlier, Eno had also taken political steps to support the project’s prospects. He joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with the goal of connecting with the centre to improve chances for delivery of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
Technical review and next-step focus
Dr Umanah’s statement said the government and its prospective partners reviewed work already completed as part of the project’s preparation. It noted that a submitted Technical Feasibility Report prepared by Worley Parsons was examined, alongside the critical pathways related to investment, project implementation, and long-term sustainability.
- Governor Eno asked for clear schedules to speed up project delivery
- He requested defined milestones and practical next steps to transition from planning to execution
- The parties reviewed the Technical Feasibility Report prepared by Worley Parsons
- The discussion also covered critical routes for funding, implementation, and long-term sustainability
Blue Economy ambitions for Akwa Ibom
The statement further said Akwa Ibom State and the prospective partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the Deep Sea Port initiative. It described the project as a landmark Blue Economy effort with the potential to position the state as a leading maritime, trade, and logistics hub in the Gulf of Guinea.
