With over $500 million anticipated in investments, the Bakassi Deep Seaport project has received a major boost as key stakeholders formally committed to its realization, setting the stage for economic growth in Cross River State.
The was agreed upon during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital on Monday, highlighting the integrated efforts to actualise the Bakassi Deep Seaport project.
The meeting brought together prominent stakeholders, as their
collective commitment demonstrates a unified approach to drive economic revitalization, through the Seaport’s development.
Governor Bassey Otu, speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting, described the project as a “bold and courageous statement of collective aspiration” for the people of Cross River State, underlining its pivotal role in enhancing the State’s economic growth and positioning it as a key player in regional trade and logistics.
He also emphasized that engaging the stakeholders and holding the meeting were crucial steps to facilitate constructive dialogue among key entities, including regulatory bodies, security agencies, investors, community leaders, and Civil Society Organizations.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gbenga Oyitola, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Oloruntola Olufemi, lauded the Bakassi Deep Seaport as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s Maritime sector, designed to harness the vast Marine resources along the nation’s coastline and territorial waters.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, who too was represented by Ahmad Yakubu, expressed optimism that the Seaport would ease congestion at existing Ports, improve Cargo handling capacity, and breathe new life into Nigeria’s Maritime economy.
The Bakassi Deep Seaport is poised to become a game-changer for Cross River State, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and establishing the State as a major logistics hub in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
