Akwa Ibom State Government, as part of her effort towards the commencement of the Deep Seaport Project, had an interactive session with Stakeholders of Oron Communities, towards the realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport Project
The Technical Committee on the Realization of Ibom Deep Seaport, led by the Chairman, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, held a technical session with the leadership of Oron Union today at the Oron Union Secretariat, in Oron Local Government Area.
Some of the issues addressed at the meeting were on location, nomenclature, environmental and social impact assessment, employment opportunities, business opportunities as well as legacy issues of the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who enlightened the stakeholders on the issue of name change and location of the Deep Seaport, explained that any facility owned by the state, should be prefix by the state name, examples, the Ibom Air, Akwa Ibom State University, Ibom Hotels and Golf Resorts.
"The brand IBOM and AKWA IBOM is fantastic, so we cannot afford to operate without the brand anymore. Let us have the pride in projecting it, in promoting it, in preserving it, presenting and making it global "
On location Dr. Ekuwem said, all host communities is well captured and would be carried along in the construction of the Seaport.
Chairman, Technical Committee on the Realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport project, Mrs. Mfon Usoro gave an extensive explanation from the technical point of view that every decision taken towards the construction of the port is based on professional standard because the seaport project is a strategic infrastructure.
She added that the present government is very passionate about the project and wants it to become a reality.
In his presentation, the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon, highlighted clearly the many benefits of the port in terms of employment and business opportunities for the people.
" We are going to have lots of opportunities from the construction to the operational stages"
He reemphasized the need for the people to acquire and update themselves in skills that would be relevant in the port operations.
Mr Okon thanked the entire stakeholders and people of Oron for their cooperation which will foster timely realisation of the project, in line with Governor Udom Emmanuel's Completion Agenda.
He also appreciated other members of the Technical Committee, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, The Senator representing Eket Senatorial District, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi and others, for the sacrifices they made to ensure the Deep Seaport comes to fruition.
Mr. Aniekan Ukpana, a member of the Technical Committee, who spoke on the environmental and social impact assessment, said that the procurement process for the IDSP, has been one of the best Internationally.
He maintained that the IDSP is planned taking into consideration the aspect of environmental impact assessment.
Speaking on behalf of the Oron Union, the President General, His Lordship, Bishop Etim Ante, appreciated the government for the steps taken to address the issues on ground, while soliciting that the interest of Oro people be taken into consideration.
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