FG lauds Ayade over Bakassi Deep Seaport project

(Nigeria) The Federal Government has lauded Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State for his foresight in embarking on the construction of the Bakassi Deep Seaport, describing same as a worthy venture that will impact positively on the economic life of the country.

Chairman, Steering and Implementation Committee for the deep seaport and Director Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Alhaji Sani Galadanchi, stated this when he led other members of the committee on a courtesy visit to  Government House in Calabar.

Galadanchi commended Governor Ayade "on his vision to diversify the economy of the state from its dependence on revenue allocation from the federation. This is in line with the Federal Government’s desire to move the maritime sector forward.”

Restating the Federal Government’s readiness to partner Cross River State Government and other stakeholders for the actualization of the project, Galadanchi pointed out that the realization of the deep seaport would result in an improved national supply chain, industrial capacity utilization and huge employment opportunities.

Regretting the delay in constituting the steering committee, said it was not intentional, just as he attributed the development to an earlier misunderstanding on the part of the officials from the state in the build up to the constitution and inauguration of the committee.

He listed some of the mandates of the committee to include, preparation of preliminary project feasibility/ proposal, the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, work plans for project implementation and indicative budget for the project development as well as funding structure.

He assured that the committee will do all within its power to ensure the actualization of the project in conformity with the nation’s Ports Master Plan.

In his response, Cross River State governor, Prof. Ayade who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, thanked the Minister of Transport, Mr Chibuike Amaechi for setting up the steering committee for immediate take off of the deep seaport project, saying that the port was a life wire of his administration.

Ayade stated, “We want to deliver on our signature project which, include the Bakassi Deep seaport that you are currently here to finalize modalities for takeoff, the 260 km superhighway that will serve as an evacuation corridor.”

While restating the state’s willingness to comply with the recommendation of the committee in executing the project, Ayade said: “We are ready to work with the stakeholders in the maritime industry as well as other relevant Federal Government agencies as stipulated by law because Cross River is in a big hurry to ensure the takeoff of this very important project.

"Bakassi Deep Seaport is very significant to us. In fact, it is the hemoglobin in the blood. So, if it does not succeed, our dream of transforming the socio-economic landscape of this state will be a mirage,” the governor opined.

He said that “If the seaport materialized, not only will Cross River be transformed but the neighbouring states of Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Borno as well as countries like Chad and Niger, will benefit immensely from the port services as it will also serve as a major incentive to economic development of those area.”