President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, raising hopes of a major economic transformation in the South-South region.
Tinubu announced the approval on Friday during a reception and rally organised in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The President was responding to a request by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, who appealed for the Federal Government’s support for the project while assuring Tinubu of the state’s backing ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
After highlighting the importance of inclusive development, economic growth and job creation, Tinubu acknowledged the governor’s appeal for the deep seaport.
“I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, request for Ibom’s deep-sea port,” the President said.
He subsequently asked the cheering crowd whether they would vote for him before declaring, “Okay, it’s approved.”
The announcement followed Eno’s pledge that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu in 2027 if the Federal Government facilitated the seaport project.
The governor described the proposed facility as a major economic opportunity capable of transforming Akwa Ibom, the South-South region and the country.
READ ALSO: Tinubu To Commission Eno’s Projects, Storm Rivers For APC Rally
According to him, the seaport would serve as a major transhipment hub, attract international investments, boost maritime activities and create thousands of employment opportunities.
Eno said the project remained the most significant economic aspiration of the people, noting that its realisation would reposition the state’s industrial and commercial landscape.
He also recalled that the project, initially conceived as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah, had remained unrealised for several years despite repeated promises by successive administrations.
The governor further noted that Tinubu had pledged to deliver the project during his 2023 presidential campaign rally at the same stadium, drawing inspiration from the development of the Lekki Deep Seaport during his tenure as Lagos State governor.
Eno added that Akwa Ibom had demonstrated its commitment to working with the Federal Government by aligning with the All Progressives Congress, expressing confidence that the proposed seaport would strengthen the state’s economic prospects.