President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected in Cross River State soon to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project.

The State Commissioner for Information, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham made the disclosure on Tuesday, during an interactive session with journalists at the NUJ Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar.

Although Cobham did not announce a specific date for the President’s visit, he said Governor Bassey Otu has been working directly with the Presidency to actualise the trip and flag off the project.

“I can authoritatively assure you that all protocols, requirements and funding for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, started by Otu’s predecessor, Prof. Ben Ayade, have been ascertained, concretised and guaranteed,” he said.

The Commissioner explained that all major hurdles for the project’s take-off have been cleared, including funding and technical studies.

According to Cobham, the Otu administration has moved the project from planning to implementation, with funding secured from the African Development Bank, AfDB.

He added that extensive technical studies, including investigations into the soil texture of the proposed site, have been conducted to establish feasibility.

“The strategic importance and magnitude of the project make it appropriate for the President to perform the groundbreaking ceremony,” Cobham stated.

The Commissioner revealed that the President’s visit was earlier delayed due to “minor misinformation” which has now been resolved.

“President Tinubu would have since performed the groundbreaking, but for minor misinformation, which has now been sorted out. The visit has therefore been rescheduled,” he said.

“Our governor has been working with the Presidency for President Tinubu to visit the state and perform the groundbreaking soon,” Cobham disclosed.

The Bakassi Deep Seaport is projected to be a game-changer for Cross River’s economy, creating thousands of jobs, boosting trade, and positioning the state as a maritime hub in the Gulf of Guinea.