Akwa Ibom: 1 seaport, 3 presidential approvals

Akwa Ibom State’s proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port has received federal backing under three successive administrations, but the project is yet to become operational.

This has raised questions about the gap between government approvals and actual implementation.

From the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 to that of Muhammadu Buhari in 2020 and President Bola Tinubu in 2026, successive governments have announced decisions supporting the proposed port at Ibaka in Oron Local Government Area of the state.

The latest endorsement came on Friday, November 6, when Tinubu publicly approved a request by Governor Umo Eno during an APC presidential rally and reception at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Responding to the governor’s appeal, the President said, “Your request for the Ibom Deep Sea Port is hereby approved. The Ibom Deep Sea Port will bring associated economic value and economic development to the people, just as the governor has said.”

The Presidency also issued a statement confirming the approval, describing the proposed port as a catalyst for economic development and prosperity in Akwa Ibom and the South-South region.

However, the announcement has attracted criticism, particularly because the project has featured in the development plans and public announcements of successive administrations without visible construction.

Under Jonathan, the Federal Government took its earliest documented step towards developing the Ibaka Deep Seaport on September 18, 2012, when the then Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, inaugurated a Federal Government Project Development and Steering Committee for the project.

Speaking at the ceremony, Umar said, “Mr President attaches great importance to this project.”

The committee chairman, Dr Iorwuese Viashima, said the port would be developed through a public-private partnership involving the Federal Government, Akwa Ibom State Government and private investors.

The proposed facility was expected to handle high volumes of international cargo and position Akwa Ibom as a maritime hub for West and Central Africa.

Eight years later, the Federal Executive Council under Buhari approved the commencement of the Ibom Deep Seaport project on December 16, 2020.

The decision was announced the following day by the then Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini EmemObong, who said it followed sustained efforts by the administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel to actualise the project.

“This approval is coming on the heels of the vigorous push by the Udom Emmanuel-led administration for the actualisation of this long-awaited vision,” EmemObong said.

Emmanuel subsequently expressed appreciation to Buhari and the Federal Executive Council for the approval.

“Let me, on behalf of the government and the grateful people of Akwa Ibom State, thank President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Federal Executive Council for granting us this wonderful gift,” he said in his Christmas broadcast.

Reports at the time put the estimated cost of the first phase of the project at $2.016bn.

Tinubu’s latest declaration has, however, reopened debate about the status of the project and why previous government decisions have not translated into a functioning seaport.

Although the three administrations took steps in support of the project, the nature of their decisions differed.

Jonathan’s administration inaugurated a project-development committee in 2012, while Buhari’s Federal Executive Council approved the commencement of the project in 2020.

Tinubu, on his part, announced a fresh presidential approval of the request during the November 6 rally, although his declaration did not provide details of the immediate financing, procurement and construction arrangements.

The latest announcement has therefore left a central question unanswered: why has a project that has featured in federal government plans for more than a decade yet to translate into an operational deep seaport?  (Daily trust)