Akaiso Eyo-Akaiso, Uyo.
As Ibom deep seaport project is gradually about to become a reality, Akwa Ibom state government on Friday in Uyo, held a-one day sensitization workshop to enable participants to gain deeper insights into the maritime and blue economic sector, assess the lucrative nature and viability of this sector, and see how they can be a part of this industry.
Held on the theme, “Harnessing the Economic Potentials of Blue Economy Value Chain in Akwa Ibom State for Productivity and Sustainable Growth,” participants were drawn from private and public sectors including journalists.
While setting the tone for the workshop, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong, noted that while the administration of Pastor Umo Eno was diligently working to bring Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, it was important to ensure that Akwa Ibom people are prepared and well-positioned to be active players in the maritime sector.
Dr Iton, who said it was important to recognise that every sector has its own language and as such, gaining insights and knowledge will help in navigating the sector effectively, disclosed that the objective of the workshop was to develop skills for economic diversification in the maritime industry.
“Maritime industry, while serving as a major artery in connecting people, products and services, the industry is exceptionally equipped with potentials to citizens with skilled and unskilled credentials to diversify. It holds an immense role for professionals, academics, and activities for people with no academic background but passion, trade, and the ability to be focused and able to communicate politely to their principal and target audience.
On his part, the Rector, Marine and Oceans Academy, Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Ekwere, stressed that “There is a need for skills acquisition not just onshore but in the waterways. There is no greater time to look into this than now that the Ibom Deep Seaport is about to emerge for West Africa. Whatever anybody can do, we can do also, and we should be very interested in skills acquisition to function once the Ibom Deep Seaport is birthed.”
Also speaking, a lecturer at Maritime Academy, Nigeria, Dr. Friday Ufia, noted that while maritime trade was the exchange of goods and services across the oceans and seas, the logistics was about customer service, disclosing that there are short courses at the Maritime Academy to equip people in the area to be part of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
“Akwa Ibom has the longest coastline of 129km, a good road network, presence of a maritime academy to train our people. We should take advantage of the domiciliation of the Maritime Academy to get trained on how we can benefit from the Ibom Deep Seaport as owners of the port.”
In his presentation, the Director of Projects, Technical Committee on Ibom Deep Seaport, Prof. Akaninyene Ekong, said that maritime activities are open to professionals from all fields, offering vast opportunities across sectors, adding 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 this year.
According to Prof. Ekong, 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. “The seaport and land-based infrastructure will drive industrialisation and activate the full potential of the agri-estates, which are already accessible and infrastructure-ready. With this development, all private estates will eventually integrate into the industrial city zone.”
He commended Comrade Ini Ememobong, whom he noted had on assumption of office as Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, took initiative and engaged maritime professionals across the five estates, mandating the development of a localised marine and blue economy policy.
In his goodwill message, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, described the workshop as a significant milestone and commended the government for recognising the importance of positioning the state for future economic relevance, adding that it was inspiring for journalists to be invited to sit at the table, not just as observers, but as partners to engage with the future of the Ibom Deep Seaport project
“I want to thank the Honourable Commissioner for convening us here. Thank you for giving us the privilege to be the first to see and speak into the future of this transformational project. This is a specialised conversation, and I want to assure you that we, as stakeholders and professionals, are ready to walk with you, to champion this vision, support the process, and work toward unlocking the full economic benefits for our state.”
Other speakers at the event also hailed the commitment and passion of Governor Umo Eno towards the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
