• Friday, March 29, 2024
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BusinessDay

Udom ‘s second term to focus on aviation, port and industrial projects

Udom

Governor Udom Emmanuel will focus on the development of the Ibom deep seaport project, air transportation and the continuation of the industrialisation programme as key areas in the second term of his administration, it was gathered in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

Many sources close to the government told BusinessDay in Uyo that the state government considers the Ibom Deep Seaport Project which is located in Ibaka, Mbo local government area as critical to the economic development of the state and it would complement its investment in land air transportation.

Governor Udom Emmanuel has already held discussions with officials of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority with a view to seeking support for the completion of many of the projects in which he disclosed that viable “with viable gateways such as water, air and good infrastructure across the state, many investors would be attracted to the state.”

Presently, the planning, design and requisite approval for the seaport has been completed which it is expected that the project would be completed before the end of his tenure in 2023.

“With the effort of my technical committee on the deep seaport, the project has already recorded tremendous success starting from “issuance of approval of procurement process” to negotiation of terms and condition with the preferred bidder” for the project, the governor was quoted as saying.

He has also assured that in the next four years, the port will commence full operations as my completion agenda has made the deep seaport a top priority.

According to experts, apart from creating job opportunities, the Ibom deep seaport project when completed would help in decongesting the ports in Lagos as was experienced when the Calabar port was operational many years ago.

For the air transportation, the state government has acquired three aircraft and is also considering constructing a modern commercial building terminal at the Ibom airport. This follows the construction of a second airport runway and the upgrade of airport main runway to category 2 Certification.

Though the commercial operations with the aircrafts have yet to commence, strong indications have emerged that approvals were being expected from the federal government agencies for the aircraft to take to the skies.

Speaking at a workshop for newly elected councilors in the state, Onofiok Luke, speaker of the state assembly appealed to the federal government to give approval for the aircraft to start commercial flights maintaining that it was important for devolution of power to enable state governments invest in key sectors of the economy.

The priority is also expected to focus on the completion of a hangar project at the airport, the establishment of search and rescue centre, establishment of flight training school and the construction of power station to supply electricity to the airport.

The acquisition of the three aircraft by the state government is expected to create more jobs in the sector, according to Akan Okon, the commissioner for special duties and aviation development.

In the industrial sector, the multi million Syringe manufacturing factory, the metering factory and the flour million as well as the coconut refinery project are expected to become fully operational.

 

ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo