By ETIM ETIM
Last Thursday, I wrote a piece in Thisday newspaper and other platforms titled ‘’Tinubu in Akwa Ibom, lessons from history’’, in which I traced President Tinubu’s political relationship with Akwa Ibom people and analyzed the support we have given to APC over the years. In the concluding paragraph, I stated: ‘’It is therefore important that the President remembers his earlier pledge to support the state to build a deep sea port. The state government has already invested so much in the preliminary works, including producing a feasibility report, but the backing of the federal government is essential to bring it to fruition.
Gov. Umo Eno has staked his political capital on the President’s willingness to help us achieve our dream project. The people will therefore be listening keenly to the President’s pronouncement on this when he visits. If he fails to live up to his words to support the state, Akwa Ibom people will feel a terrible sense of letdown, the political implications of which is difficult to fathom’’.
Tinubu arrived Akwa Ibom the day after the essay was published to a big reception and, as I predicted, Ibom Deep Sea Port was a major item of discussion at both the campaign rally organized by the governor’s support groups and the dinner the government hosted. In his impassioned welcome speech at the rally, Gov. Eno asked the president to make ‘’a definite statement’’ on how the federal government would help the state to build a deep sea port. Eno reeled out the expected benefits of the port to the Nigerian economy and the significance of its location at the southernmost portion Akwa Ibom State – the seaside abutting the Atlantic Ocean with a suitably sufficient natural depth of 19 meters.
The governor’s speech worked up the crowd and by the time the President got to the microphone for a response, some of the over 30,000 people were already chanting ‘’Ibom Deep Sea Port’’. Akpabio had to assure the President that all was well. Tinubu announced the federal government’s ‘’approval’’ to the project and reaffirmed it at the banquet that evening. ‘’I will give you Ibom Deep Sea Port’’, he promised. ‘’Keep your promise, and I will keep mine’’, the President concluded, meaning vote for me, and I will help you fulfil your dream. The people appreciated, but some wanted further clarifications.
The following morning, Eno and Akpabio, together with the political class accompanied the President to Port Harcourt for another rally. On his return from Port Harcourt that Saturday, Eno made a broadcast to the state, thanking them for a warm reception for the president, and commending the President for ‘’approving a financing arrangement’’ for building of the port. The details of the financing arrangement is not known to the public, but I can confirm that during the Buhari administration, the state had asked the federal government to pay up for its 10% equity in the project.
The offer wasn’t taken up due to lack of funds. Now, with improved fiscal headroom of the last three years, it should be easy for the federal government to pay for its stake. The other two parties – the core investor and the state government – are ready. That should pave the way for commencement of construction.
Lack of funding has been a major challenge in getting this project fully executed. Since 2020 when the Federal Executive Council gave its final approval, the state government has been the sole financier of all preliminary works and associated costs such as ESIA (Environmental and social impact assessment) and the Feasibility Report. The state deserves a federal support. We built our own airport, the best in the country; built a world-class stadium where Super Eagles’ home games are played; created an airline, the nation’s favourite and built an MRO (a facility to maintain, repair and overhaul aircraft), the only of its kind in West Africa.
IDSP is designed for large vessels to serve the Gulf of Guinea and other parts of the Nigerian market. It occupies total land area of 2, 565 hectares within Ibom Industrial City, with an additional 1, 565 reserved for future expansion. It has a total quay length of about 7.5 km (fully developed), designed depth for ultra large container vessels (ULCV); seven terminals, in addition to marine services center and a naval facility. It is a project Nigeria needs as it works towards a $1 trillion dollar economy.
The Buhari administration had acknowledged this project for its multiplier effects, so much so that it was listed in the 2021 – 2025 National Development Plan (NDP). Similar ports elsewhere cost between $5 billion and $8 billion to build. This is why the state requires the federal government to chip in by paying for its equity share. President Tinubu’s approval of the funding arrangement is therefore a pleasant fallout of his visit to the state, but more important, a confirmation of one of the deliverables of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
In October 2026, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Adetola announced at the World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos that completing Ibom Deep Sea Port was a priority of the federal government. I recall that our own Mfon Usoro, Chairperson of the Technical Committee for the Implementation of Ibom Deep Sea Port, was the keynoter at the event. Earlier, in January 2024, the Ministry had unveiled its blueprint in which it listed “the support for the completion of Ibom Deep Sea Port’’ as one of its deliverables. Others ports listed were Bonny; Badagry; and Ondo.
The renewed hope on funding for the port has further cemented Tinubu’s political alliance with the state and set the stage for the delivery of the two million votes the Senate President pledged on behalf of the people for the President. The visit itself was initially meant for projects commissioning only, but a campaign rally was later squeezed into it. Pulling off the whole the event in so short a notice reflects the political adroitness of Gov Eno and Senator Akpabio. This tag team is one of our biggest assets in this republic.
Many have asked if the President will keep to his words. I understand that the other two major presidential candidates will pooh-pooh the President’s pledge, and offer alternative arrangements, when they visit. One will actually pledge to have the federal government take over the whole project. That is the beauty of democracy.
