Akwa Ibom government reaffirms commitment to blue economy

The Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port, Ini Ememobong, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to harnessing the potential of the blue economy and advancing maritime development.

Hosting members of the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Professionals during a courtesy visit, Ememobong highlighted the recent commissioning of the shore protection project and shoreline development in Oron as a testament to Governor Umo Eno’s dedication to the sector.

He noted that these efforts would enhance maritime transport and recreation in the region. Ememobong underscored the strategic importance of the Ibom Deep Seaport as a foundation for future economic growth, emphasising the need for collaboration between the Ministry and maritime oil and gas professionals.

He assured them of the government’s readiness to work together to achieve long-term development goals in the maritime sector. Ememobong said, “The governor envisioned industrial city aims to build indigenous capacity and ensure local participation.

“This is where the local content law comes into play, requiring that a certain percentage of the project’s workforce, services, and materials be sourced locally. However, to activate this law, there must be available capacity among local individuals and businesses.”

He explained that Gov. Eno has prioritized capacity procurement to ensure that local talent and resources are in place before project execution begins, thereby enabling communities to benefit from the industrial city’s opportunities.

The Commissioner also commended the technical committee, led by Mfon Usoro, for its efforts in advancing the Ibom Deep Seaport project, affirming the state’s commitment to working with stakeholders to bring the vision to life.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Secretary General of Port State Control for the West and Central African Region, Sunday Umoren, expressed the team’s willingness to support Akwa Ibom’s maritime sector.

“As indigenes with expertise across various maritime sectors, we are committed to investing in human capacity building, particularly in light of the upcoming Ibom Deep Seaport.

“The port itself is just one aspect; without proper positioning, we risk having a deep seaport in Akwa Ibom without maximizing its full potential,” Umoren said. He called for strategic planning to ensure that the state fully leverages the opportunities presented by the deep seaport project.