Antwerp Port International takes over Bakassi Deep Seaport project
Breaking the news of the takeover during a boat ride to the
site of the deep seaport with the representatives and port Director, of Antwerp
Ports International, Mr Stefan Cassimon, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River
State, said the essence of the visit was to do a recconaissance as well as a
required survey of the location, suitability and adaptability of the port.
He said the tour will strengthen commitment to the
partnership with the Port of Antwerp International and the Cross River State
Government to either take the investment from public placement strategy or
direct investment by investors.
The governor expressed delight that such a well celebrated
name in the maritime Industry has decided to get involved with the Bakassi Deep
Seaport project.
The deep seaport is one of the on- going legacy projects of
Governor Ayade.
Ayade had earlier received the Belgian Ambassador, Daniel
Betrand, who led the team on a courtesy call on him at the Executive Council
Chamber, Calabar.
Speaking shortly after visiting the project site, Ayade
said: “We are here on the Calabar River emptying into the Bakassi Deep Seaport
with a team of technical directors and experts from the Port of Antwerp
International."
Lauding Antwerp Port International's interest in the Bakassi deep seaport, Ayade said “Nigeria will have a lot to benefit from this port as this will be the first cargo industrial port as approved by the Federal Ministry of Transportation.”
He reiterated the imperativeness of the Bakassi Deep seaport
which is to create a short cut between the mouth of the Atlantic ocean and
northern Nigeria with the view to exporting solid minerals that abound in that
part of the country.
"The future is Africa and that future starts today,
that is why Cross River is smart enough to digitally partner with the Port of
Antwerp international for the development of the Bakassi Deep Seaport to take
Atlantic Ocean closer to northern Nigeria to allow for the full exploitation of
the iron ore deposits and all the solid mineral deposits for the wealth and
prosperity of Nigeria," he said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Bertrand said the team was in
Calabar to "to discuss further on the wonderful project in Bakassi and to
ensure that the project, that is the Deep Sea port, will be a success as soon
as possible."
The Belgium Ambassador disclosed that "Cross River is of
interest to Belgium because you are close to the sea where you have so many
potentials and endowed with very industrious population. So, I think that a lot
is possible here for you and for us."
He assured of his country's firm commitment to the project saying: "We are also here to ensure that Belgium contributes actively in this wonderful project."
Comments
Post a Comment