IBOM DEEP SEAPORT: A Maritime Gateway To West And Central African Region

By Mike Etuk

The idea of Ibom Deep Seaport, IDSP, a major component of Ibom Industrial City, was conceived to be the country’s and state’s economic empowerment plan, designed to play a catalytic role in economic development as well as raise the business and revenue profile of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

The Deep Seaport is designed to occupy 2,565 hectares of land with additional 1.565 hectares for future expansion. IDSP, with the investment capacity of $4.2 billion, will on completion serve Sao Tome Joint Development, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Angola, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger and Chad, making it to offer a multiple modal connectivity with unparalleled access to coastal railway lines, the Victor Attah International Airport and extensive national road network.

As a trans-shipment port for the West and Central African region, the Seaport which is expected to handle container break-bulk, dry-bulk and liquid cargo will stimulate business activities and lead to a gargantuan leap in trans-national trade activities, as it would handle large vessels that can load over 13,000 containers in one voyage.

The project, which is to be owned by the Federal Government through Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, with Akwa Ibom State government and private investors through the PPP arrangement, has key features.

The features include deep water access (18m in the channel) with the capacity to accommodate large vessels; 5,129 radars for port development; proximity to major shipping routes, as well as a combined deep seaport and free trade zone development in Akwa Ibom State. Others are short distance to destination markets, to reduce cost and maximise benefits; as well as a large gateway market size to attract direct vessel service and sizeable trans-shipment cargo for feeder shipping network connection.

These features make the IDSP unique and strategic to the maritime economy and international trade portfolio of the country. It has been a key project of Akwa Ibom State and indeed Nigeria given its critical role in launching the state and the country into a robust regime of international trade and other international business transactions.


The idea

Although the idea of Ibom Deep Seaport project was mooted by the previous administrations in the state, the real commitment and political will to translate the dream into a realistic project commenced following the assumption of office of the present administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, when he set up a technical committee on the implementation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project.

Although there were a number of political, administrative and technical issues to be addressed in the course of the project actualisation, with the strong support of the governor, the committee continued in its commitment to deliver on its mandate.

In May 2015, IDSP received Federal Government approval under the Public-Private Partnership, PPP, model. In further demonstration of its commitment, the state government contracted the Global Maritime and Ports Services, GMAPS, to provide transaction advising services in December 2015, and the responsibility of completing the master-plan producing a full business case for the project.

With all the administrative, policy and technical issues addressed, work on the first phase of the IDSP is about to commence. Giving a lowdown of the progress made to actualised the project, the state governor, Udom Emmanuel, represented by Secretary to the State Government during a meeting of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, NPA and the Federal Ministry of Transport, said the Ibom Deep Seaport is poised to bring a smart world port landing capacity to the doorsteps of Akwa Ibom State and serve the cargo handling of the West and Central African countries as well as states of the South-East region of Nigeria.

Already, two world-renowned companies with outstanding pedigree in the maritime industry have successfully bidded to handle the two major components of the Ibom Deep Seaport projects. While the consortium of Bollore’ Ports of China is to handle the operation of all container activities, Power China is expected to carry out necessary works for developing the port infrastructure.

According to Mrs. Mfon Usoro, Chairperson of the Technical Committee on the Actualisation of Ibom Seaport, the government is targeting shipping companies and terminal operators as co-developers and investors, who will guarantee vessels and cargo when the port becomes operational.

It is expected that given its locational advantage, and its technical contents, the Ibom Deep Seaport will serve a better purpose in terms of promoting maritime business, international trade and interconnectivity. With specialised terminals to handle ports and big-sized vessels, in addition to other ancillary activities, the Deep Seaport will generate multiplier effects, new business frontiers, create the necessary middle class and create more than 10,000 job opportunities for the people of Akwa Ibom at the construction stage.

This number will increase when the port is in operation considering that there will be direct and indirect jobs created. Moreover, it will certainly help in solving the perennial problem of port congestion in Nigeria. As the host state of this gargantuan economic enabler, Akwa Ibom will step up in its revenue profile, business opportunities, and become a major player in the competitive national and global economy.

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration has taken the bull by the horn in demonstrating rare commitment and tenancy in ensuring that the dream project comes to reality. It is, therefore, expedient that Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians rise to the challenge of ensuring the actualisation of a project that will launch the country into a world of robust maritime business.

Mike Etuk, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Uyo.

I will like to work here. Can anyone link me up?

The powers that be won't allow it to materialize. The Lagos monopoly will surely come to bear. Anyways, for CAC Company or Business Name registration, Foundation, Schools, Church, NGO, Trademark, TIN, SCUML, NAFDAC number etc, talk to us at [b]www. Lawlab. Com. ng. If you know, you know.

We shall see

Nice

okey

We are watching.....politicians talk more than they act.....so lets watch it kick off.

Ok

No Region is holding any region back.
Just develop your resources and see how much difference you will make. Akwa Ibom despite its poor citizens will definitely get to the promise land soon with its crop of visionary leaders. I hope my governor delivers this port before he leaves office. I mean if Hell-Rufai can deliver a dry seaport within a short time I think anything is possible

They should start already

We are waiting

For a Geo-political zone, armed with so much funds from the FG, I think most South-South States are performing underwhelmingly.
Absolutely chasing white elephant projects with no long-term plans for growth, just political clout.

See this...

Jerryz2050PMG:
IBOM DEEP SEAPORT: A Maritime Gateway To West And Central African Region

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration has taken the bull by the horn in demonstrating rare commitment and tenancy in ensuring that the dream project comes to reality. It is, therefore, expedient that Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians rise to the challenge of ensuring the actualisation of a project that will launch the country into a world of robust maritime business.

Ask them to list what they've done without the influence of the FG asides paying salaries and a few km's of roads here and there, you'd be met with a loud silence. The only semblance to growth was when Donald Duke & Akpabio was in power and when they vacated office, the zone literally went side-ways in terms of any growth. Ask yourself, where's Tinapa today? The world literally wanted to be a part of Calabar Carnival every December.

---

The real jokers are the Igbos looking to secede into trash-filled cities like Umuahia
You can't hold your Governors to propel a solid zonal growth plan, that would attract the best minds, and even make the gifted hands in Ariaria globally marketable, but you'll be screaming Tinubu & Buhari's names on Obasanjo's internet.

Thanks to the FG for the seaport, hopefully, that would decongest our Highways., and reduce the high cost of shipping

soo wonderful at drawing board stage...will they allow it

U

Pls am searching for job ooo.....

I can do anytin ooo ..so far it nuh related to blood or fraud....

Be it security,gateman ,office work or even factory work....am getting tired of this life already I wud be glad if anyone can be of help....

I can even do laundry for u...clean ur house and even prepare meals for u...so far its Lagos...


If u don't av the connection u can connect me to someone who has ...plsss..

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Pls safe a starving brother

Hmm

lionness:
No Region is holding any region back.
Just develop your resources and see how much difference you will make. Akwa Ibom despite its poor citizens will definitely get to the promise land soon with its crop of visionary leaders. I hope my governor delivers this port before he leaves office. I mean if Hell-Rufai can deliver a dry seaport within a short time I think anything is possible

what do you mean ' despite poor citizens ' ?

HRHQueenPhil:
I will like to work here. Can anyone link me up?

YOUR MOUTH LIKE BETTER THING O!

Oliver Twist

Storeyedbuildin:
Pls am searching for job ooo.....

I can do anytin ooo ..so far it nuh related to blood or fraud....

Be it security,gateman ,office work or even factory work....am getting tired of this life already I wud be glad if anyone can be of help....

I can even do laundry for u...clean ur house and even prepare meals for u...so far its Lagos...


If u don't av the connection u can connect me to someone who has ...plsss..

THANKS IN ADVANCE

What are you trained in? What is your profession? What is your job experience?

HRHQueenPhil:
I will like to work here. Can anyone link me up?

oga go and apply

lionness:
No Region is holding any region back.
Just develop your resources and see how much difference you will make. Akwa Ibom despite its poor citizens will definitely get to the promise land soon with its crop of visionary leaders. I hope my governor delivers this port before he leaves office. I mean if Hell-Rufai can deliver a dry seaport within a short time I think anything is possible

North east and north west are huge stones on our neck in Nigeria. Those two regions are a roadblock to peace and progress to the rest of the country.

Ibom Ayaya

Meanwhile neighboring state Governor is busy sharing kerosene.

For many years now I have been hearing about this Ibom deep sea port on papers

Putting all series of paper works

We are tired of this audio sea port

I heard one million Ipob will be matching to Trump in White House

Why not match dem here to start cultivation beside the sea

36STATES:


What are you trained in? What is your profession? What is your job experience?

I learnt embroidery...a fashion related job....

But it's fast declining and pple are nw sewing clothes without designs...
So I just had to leave the work when I wasn't able to pay for my shop rent...

I av done some salary work also...barbeque griller and bar attendants....
Worked in a bakery also ...

Wud be so glad if u could be of help...

This project has been used as a campaign tool by both the udom and akpabio government. Abeg make una no dey make noise for our ear mbok.Ibaka deep sea port wey we don dey see blueprint since 2007.Make Akwa Ibom government gerraut with their plenty lie lie. Uwa Afid.

Never understood why GEJ did not do this to empower the SE-SS alliance. No brainer. Employs thousands, diverts revenue from Lagos for Eastern production capacity etc etc.
The idea has been proposed before during Akpabio's admin. If Udom starts it, praise belongs to him.

That's a good news.

Audio concept. Up till now, Second Niger Bridge, not finished. Lagos - Ibadan rail, unfinished. Lagos light rail, uncompleted. Coastal railway project, stories. 24/7 electricity that they promised, a mirage. Niger Delta cleanup project? Awaiting updates. They have introduced another one again...

Lawgod247:
The powers that be won't allow it to materialize. The Lagos monopoly will surely come to bear. Anyways, for CAC Company or Business Name registration, Foundation, Schools, Church, NGO, Trademark, TIN, SCUML, NAFDAC number etc, talk to us at [b]www. Lawlab. Com. ng. If you know, you know.

it will come to pass. This is different. I may not like Buhari but when it comes to infrastructure, he is trying.

Akwa Ibom is a second home to me and I will be happy to see IDSP come to pass. For those saying it's audio. Let me tell you something you do not understand about the people of Akwa Ibom. They don't make noise and if they say they will do something, they will.

Akwa Ibom has the best road network in Nigeria and they are still building more. Akwa Ibom is the cleanest state in Nigeria. I challenge anybody to proof me wrong on it. Their cleanliness stem from home. They are well bred to take sanitation highly serious.