The proposed Ibom Deep Seaport could unlock Akwa Ibom State’s untapped economic opportunities, attract fresh investments and expand its revenue base by making the state more accessible to industries and businesses, a project consultant, Mr Mkposong Asuquo, has said.
Asuquo, consultant to the Nsik Oil & Gas CNG Mother Station project, said the seaport would provide critical infrastructure to support industrial growth, particularly in the oil and gas sector, while opening up wider commercialq opportunities across Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta.
He spoke while responding to journalists during an interaction on the ongoing development of the 10 million standard cubic feet per day (10 MMSCF/D) CNG Mother Station at Uquo Isi Edoho, Esit Eket Local Government Area.
According to him, the movement of equipment for the CNG project through existing transportation routes has exposed the financial and logistical challenges businesses face because of the absence of a deep seaport in the state.
He explained that a seaport closer to industrial sites would reduce transportation expenses, shorten delivery times and make it easier for investors to execute projects without avoidable delays.
“If we have a deep seaport in Akwa Ibom, what it will actually do for a project like this and many other projects that are coming into Akwa Ibom is that it will reduce your expenditure and also save considerable time,” Asuquo said.
He noted that the impact would go beyond the delivery of equipment for individual projects, as improved maritime access could strengthen supply chains, encourage new businesses and make the state a more attractive destination for industrial investment.
The consultant said delays in transporting heavy machinery and specialised equipment could affect project schedules, construction work and the installation of industrial facilities, increasing the cost of doing business.
“Having a seaport at our backyard would not just reduce the expenditure for enterprises, it would not just reduce the expenditure for entrepreneurs; it will also give people who are in business timely delivery of their businesses,” he said.
Asuquo identified the growing oil and gas activities in Akwa Ibom as one of the sectors that could benefit significantly from the proposed facility, pointing to the potential for maritime infrastructure to support the expansion of related businesses and services.
He cited developments around OML 13 and the Liberty Free Zone Authority as areas with opportunities for greater economic activity, adding that oil and gas companies were establishing logistics hubs and offices in the state.
“There are so many thriving opportunities like that, so many thriving enterprises like that all over Akwa Ibom,” he said.
He argued that a deep seaport could help the state convert these opportunities into broader economic gains by attracting supporting industries, facilitating commercial transactions and creating more avenues for government revenue.
Asuquo urged stakeholders to look beyond the immediate benefits of the project and consider its potential to stimulate investment across several sectors, noting that Akwa Ibom could achieve more with infrastructure that supports its existing economic assets.
“We know we could do more. We could actually do more,” he said, adding that the benefits could extend beyond Akwa Ibom to other parts of the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea.
He maintained that the proposed seaport should be viewed not merely as a transport facility but as a strategic economic gateway capable of connecting local industries to wider markets, lowering business costs and unlocking new opportunities for investment and regional trade.
