By INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo
Experts and other stakeholders in the maritime sector have commended the commitment of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State towards the realisation of Ibom Deep Seaport and the larger Ibom Industrial City.
Speaking at a workshop held in Uyo, at the weekend with the theme, ‘Harnessing the Economic Potentials of Blue Economy Value Chain in Akwa Ibom State for Productivity and Sustainable Growth,’ resource persons, industry leaders and other participants said the passion which Governor Eno had brought to bear on the project would accelerate the socio-economic development of the state.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong noted that while the administration of Pastor Eno is diligently working to bring Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, it is important to ensure that the people of the state remain prepared and well-positioned to be active players in the maritime sector.
“Currently, Lagos and Rivers States are the players in the maritime sector because of their seaports. With the commitment of the governor, Akwa Ibom is set to join this league through the construction of Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City,” he said, adding that “while the state government is working to bring Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, Akwa Ibom should have a pool of highly skilled manpower for employment at the port and the industries that will be set up in IIC. This is the essence of today’s sensitisation workshop.
“Success only happens when opportunity meets preparation. Opportunities are always around, but only prepared minds see the opportunity when it happens. Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City will bring opportunities; we want our people to be prepared so that when this administration actualises these projects, they can be at the forefront of reaping the benefits,” he said.
Speaking on maritime logistics.”
The President of Brightflow Conglomerate, Dr Aniefiok Iton noted that the maritime sector holds immense potentials and if harnessed properly, its impact could surpass that of oil exploration, adding that the maritime industry is a vital component of global trade, and shipping plays a critical role in the movement of people, commodities, cargo, materials, goods and services across international borders.
Dr Iton, who said it is important to recognise that every sector has its own language and as such, gaining insights and knowledge would help in navigating the sector effectively, disclosed that the objective of the workshop was to develop skills for economic diversification in the maritime industry.
On his part, the Rector of Marine and Oceans Academy, Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Ekwere stressed the need for skills acquisition, not just onshore, but in the waterways, noting that “there is no greater time to look into this than now that Ibom Deep Seaport is about to emerge for West Africa. Whatever anybody can do, we can do also, and we should be interested in skills acquisition.”
Also speaking, a lecturer at Maritime Academy, Nigeria, Dr Friday Ufia noted that while maritime trade is the exchange of goods and services across oceans and seas, the logistics is about customer service, disclosing that there are short courses at the Maritime Academy to equip people to be part of Ibom Deep Seaport.
In his presentation, the Director of Projects, Technical Committee on Ibom Deep Seaport, Professor Akaninyene Ekong said maritime activities are open to professionals from all fields, offering vast opportunities across sectors.
He added that it was encouraging to see that, at the national level, bold steps have been taken to elevate the marine and blue economy, as evident in the policy brief presented at the Federal Executive Council in May.
According to him, Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City are not just standalone projects, but pivotal economic anchors, with their impact extending across the host local government areas into the surrounding region.
