NIMPORT draws roadmap for Ibaka deep seaport project

The Federal Government and the government of Akwa Ibom State have commended the organisers of the sixth edition of the Nigerian Maritime Ports and Terminals (NIMPORT) Expo and Conference, describing the event as unique.

Godswill Akpabio, governor of Akwa Ibom State, who declared the 3-day conference open, said NIMPORT was a timely intervention for the Nigerian maritime industry. He was represented by Udom Emmanuel, secretary to the state government.

The governor noted that the conference came up at a time the state was building a self-sustaining industrial city called ‘Ibom Industrial City’, which would warehouse a deep seaport, free trade zone and hub of oil and gas deep sea exploration in Africa.

He added that the city would use the deep seaport as its gateway for international trade thereby making it the third leading international sea gateway in Nigeria.

According to him, the proposed port location was formerly used as a gateway for slave shipment, but it was now being converted to a gateway for export and import so as to create jobs and wealth for Nigerians.

He explained that though the project was a partnership between the state and the Federal Government, it would be private-sector driven.

Fortune Idu, managing director of FCI International Limited and convener of the conference, in his welcome address said the decision to hold the conference in Akwa Ibom State was to garner support for the Ibaka deep seaport project.

In his goodwill message, Idris Umar, minister of transport, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting NIMPORT and the need for all operatives of the industry to use NIMPORT platform to project their developmental activities.

The Federal Government, according to him, was determined to see that the Ibaka project succeeded, adding that it was the reason the ministry constituted a committee on Ibaka deep sea project. He therefore called on all parties, investors, communities and stakeholders to support the development of Ibaka seaport.

The event was attended by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Export Processing Authority, LADOL, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Industrial General Insurance, INTELS, National Inland Waterways Authority, Radial Circle, amongst others.

By: Uzoamaka Anagor