The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority [NPA], Mallam Habib Abdullahi has reiterated the unflinching commitment of the authority to the successful take off and timely completion of the Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State.
Mallam Abdullahi who disclosed this in a press release signed by the Principal Manager on behalf of the General Manager Public Affairs (NPA), gave this assurance in Lagos on Thursday while receiving a copy of the Final Outline Business Case [OBC] from the members of the Ministerial Project Development and Steering committee on the project.
According to the release, the Managing Director stated that as a stakeholder and a technical regulator, the authority has much to gain from the success of the Ibom Deep Sea project, adding that the Authority’s participation in such projects, under the Private Partnership Projects [PPP] has been very beneficial as demonstrated in the Onne Port project.
While appreciating the zeal and hard work of the committee members, Mallam Abdullahi also commended the Governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio for initiating the project considering its enormous economic potentials to the well-being of the state and the nation at large.
He enjoined other states of the federation to emulate Akwa-Ibom state in this direction by embarking on projects which will promote the well-being of their citizenry and improve their economic empowerment.
He explained that it was because of the Federal Government’s willingness to encourage state Governments invest in the maritime sector under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), the authority is currently involved in other proposed deep sea ports projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Badagry Deep Sea Port, and Olokola Deep Sea Port.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Committee, Mallam Dikko Bala had thanked the Managing Director of the authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi for his support and unflinching commitment to the project.
Mallam Bala disclosed that the project had already received over twenty local and foreign investors who had indicated interest in the project which will be executed under the Long Term Amortization Scheme (LTAS).
He further disclosed that the project had already received local and foreign investors who had indicated interest in the projects and commended the NPA Management for graciously funding 50% percent of the Project Development and Steering Committee (PDSC) from inception to date.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the copy of the Outline Business Case [OBC] to the Managing Director, Mallam Abdullahi by the Managing Director of the consulting firm, Felak Concept Ltd, Dr. (Mrs) Aisha Achimugu.
Membership of the committee comprised of officials of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Nigerian Ports Authority and Felak Concept Ltd.
