Ibom Deep Seaport: A cementing factor for ARISE agenda, Renewed Hope Agenda

By Solomon Essiet

“I believe that our President who is a man of his word, will honour us. Even if it is one terminal, this movement would have been justified”. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, P.hD.

The moment the Federal Government through our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, throws his full weight towards the actualization of Ibom Deep Seaport, the marriage between the Arise Agenda and the Renewed Hope Agenda must have been fully cemented.

Akwa Ibomites both at home and in Diaspora are anticipating the full commitments of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, given making good his promises concerning this very important State’s request.

Just like Solomon in 1kings 3:1-15, where he asked God for wisdom, Governor Eno has also made an unambiguous request, direct, clear and comprehensible, to Mr. President to grant us not just the approval, but also take charge of funding the Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State to its full realization.

The Ibom Deep Seaport envisioned as an engine of industrialized Akwa Ibom in the 21st century is no doubt going to be a very successful project, with a promise of taking over 300 Thousand of our youths off the Street upon completion, comprising both direct and indirect labour. According to Governor Eno, “Akwa Ibom has the longest draught, 19 meters deep and does not require dredging”.

With strategic positioning, huge capacity, and potential to induce an industrial renaissance, the Ibom Deep Seaport underscores the State Government’s commitment to key into the global blue economy. For several years, the inability of the States in both the South-South and South East to successfully negotiate for standard Seaport Projects has constituted a bane, thereby creating an industrial gap in the region.

The Ibom Deep Seaport design is galvanized to cater to ultra-large container ships, with a draft depth that allows for seamless handling of over 13000 TEUs, (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), per voyage. This capacity ensures, Nigeria no longer loses out on transshipment opportunities to neighbouring countries like Togo, Cameron, etc, which have long operated with domineering tendencies in regional maritime logistics.

The economic importance and underscoring implications of the actualization of Ibom Deep Seaport cannot be overemphasized. Beyond serving as a conduit for import and export, the port is embedded within the Ibom Industrial City, a 14,400-hectare free trade zone designed to attract manufacturing giants and export-specialized industries.

The Akwa Ibom State Government under Governor Umo Eno, has prioritized the Ibom Deep Seaport project, engaged consultants, and finalized technical plans, which are the preliminaries towards the realization of the Port project. The Federal Government, with its funding capacity, is expected to synergize with the State Government to see that the project sees the light of the day.

During the reception ceremony for Governor Umo Eno on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, officially received Governor Umo Eno into the All Progressive Congress, APC, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, commended Governor Umo Eno. He described the bold decision taken by the Governor to connect the State with the center as a historic reunification of the State to Nigeria.

Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, thanked Governor Eno for leading the State with dignity and humility through inclusive governance, which has earned him the trust and support of the Akwa Ibom people.

He assured the Governor of support from the Federal Government, acknowledging that the State has endlessly yearned for a Deep Seaport and reassured the Governor of the Federal Government’s commitment to grant the request.

Also speaking, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, during the epoch-making occasion said, “I am telling you this, your Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, because I want you and your co-travelers to know that Mr. President is a bridge-builder, an inveterate democrat, and so, your decision to come home to APC, is one that you will never regret”.

The fulcrum of the matter appears, the Ibom Deep Seaport project is a factor cementing the Arise Agenda of Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, to the Renewed hope Agenda of His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as Governor Eno joined him in the ruling Party, APC, for an enlightened State interest and to give his full support to the re-election bid of the President in 2027.

Therefore, its timely realization would not only earn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, some accolades but will see him receiving more votes from the Akwa Ibom people during the 2027 Presidential election.

Pastor Solomon Essiet, ACIA
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City.