The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the delivery of the Ibom Deep Seaport project, describing it as a critical infrastructure for economic growth and regional transformation.
The Governor made this known at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Interaf Group Consortium at the Government House, Uyo.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Governor Eno stressed the importance of the project and urged the consortium to work closely with the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP, the state’s representative, to ensure timely execution.
He described the deep seaport as a necessity for the people of the state and assured that his administration would put all required measures in place to ensure the project remains on course.
Governor Eno also commended the consortium for its interest in the project and acknowledged former Minister of Petroleum, Atuekong Don Etiebet, for his role in driving the actualisation of the facility in the state.
In his remarks, Atuekong Don Etiebet praised the Governor’s visionary and impactful leadership, noting that the MoU represents a major milestone in the project, which was first conceived in 2007.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Interaf Group Consortium, Engineer Ezinwa Chinedu Ibekwe, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the consortium and assured of its readiness to deliver on its mandate through a collaborative approach.
The highlight of the ceremony was the formal signing of the MoU, which outlines the modalities and preliminary framework for collaboration on the development and operations of the Ibom Deep Seaport and the Ibom Industrial City.
Present at the MOU signing were the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Uko Udom, the Managing Director of AKICORP, Pastor Imo-Abasi Jacob, and other government officials.