Victor Akpanika, managing director of Port Notel Limited, Nigeria’s first ocean terminal, has called for increased private sector participation in the maritime segment of the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State.
According to Akpanika, the involvement of more private investors in the state maritime business would enable more Nigerians especially the indigenes of the state to derive immense economic benefits.
In a statement made available to BusinessDay, Akpanika also picked holes in the arguments that the state does not need more than one seaport due to the perceived dearth of market demands.
This was in reaction to recent assertion by Udom Emmanuel, the state governor, who informed a delegation of Ibeno Community leaders that sought for the approval of a certificate of occupancy (C-of-O) for the development of Port Notel Ocean Terminal, that the state is supporting the development of Ibom Deep Seaport alone.
Governor Emmanuel said that while the Ibom port has gone far with the technical procurement processes, the Port Notel project is still at its early planning phase.
Faulting this stand, Akpanika said that Nigeria’s maritime domain was large enough to accommodate many players since it was considered the gateway to the West and Central Africa Sub-Regions with a population of about 180 million people, third largest economy in Africa with a rebased gross domestic product (GDP) of over $500 billion and 10th in oil production in the world.
According to him, the present deficiency in modern maritime infrastructure facilities has made it difficult for Nigeria to properly interface with the global maritime marketplace.
“Nigeria currently has sufficient maritime market demand space that is very attractive to port developers, operators, financiers seeking to invest in port terminal and jetty facilities. Several littoral and hinterland states are pushing themselves forward to attract local and foreign investors to come and invest in ocean, coastal, river or inland dry port facilities,” he said.
He further added that Akwa Ibom State stands a better chance of accessing more foreign direct investment (FDI) for maritime infrastructural and industrial projects, provided the private sector is allowed to fully participate and collaborate with the government.
Port Notel Ocean Terminal is a private sector intervention that came into existence as a result of the vision of former Governor Victor Attah, which aimed at locating a modern offshore ship repair yard and industrial complex around Ibeno and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas to complement the then proposed Ibaka Deep Seaport/Industrial City Development.
According to Akpanika, the project is aimed at satisfying the yearnings of the oil producing host communities comprising of Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, Eket, Esit Eket, Onna Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
