Akwa Ibom residents may soon witness a major economic development after President Tinubu approved the construction of the long-awaited deep seaport.
President Bola has approved the long awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State.
He shared the news on friday during a party and rally held for him at the Godswill Akpabia Staduim Uyo.
Tinubu was in the state to commission projects built under Governor Umo Eno’s administration. AccessServices
He said development must be inclusive, bring progress and create economic value.
He then repeated a request from Governor Eno, the state’s leaders and the people for the deep seaport.
After asking the crowd, “Will you vote?”, he declared, “Okay, It’s approved.”
The approval came after Eno promised that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu in 2027 if the seaport was built.
“Give us Ibom Deep Seaport, we will deliver two million votes,” he said.
He added that the port could open up the state’s economy, the South South region and the country as a whole.
Eno called the seaport the most important economic demand of the people of Akwa Ibom.
He said it would become a major transhipment hub, create thousands of jobs and open the state to international trade and investment.
He said the project was first proposed under former Governor Victor Attah as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City. AccessServices
It had been included in several presidential campaigns but was never built.
Tinubu first promised the seaport at his 2023 campaign rally in the same stadium.
He pointed to the Lekki Deep Seaport, built during his time as Lagos governor, as a model for what he hoped to achieve in Akwa Ibom.
Eno also said the state had joined the All Progressives Congress to bring more federal presence and development.
He promised that Akwa Ibom would mobilise support for Tinubu’s re election in 2027.