Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has praised the Federal Government for backing the Bakassi Deep Seaport, calling it a landmark step towards positioning Nigeria as a key hub for maritime activities.
The commendation came as Governor Otu received the Certificate of Compliance from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the ministry’s Abuja headquarters on Wednesday.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved the Bakassi Deep Seaport as one of three major transformative Public–Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives. The project is expected to attract approximately $3.5 billion in private investment and is regarded as a strategic maritime infrastructure.
Governor Otu described the development as a significant milestone for Cross River State, noting the state’s strategic role in helping Nigeria unlock its maritime potential, similar to countries like Brazil with thriving coastal economies.
“With rapid population growth and limited resources, initiatives like the Bakassi Deep Seaport provide a critical opportunity for increased investment and job creation,” the governor said. “Receiving this certificate today marks a historic moment in our march toward a robust marine and blue economy. Nigeria is currently underperforming in the maritime sector, and Cross River State is well-positioned to harness its potential.”
Governor Otu also commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and appointing an experienced minister to oversee its operations.
Minister Oyetola, in his remarks, praised Governor Otu’s vision and dedication to the project, highlighting its alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed optimism that the seaport would boost both state and national economic growth.
The minister noted that despite six similar ongoing projects, Bakassi Deep Seaport has the potential to be the first to reach completion, applauding the governor’s commitment and efficiency in driving the initiative. He assured that the federal government will continue to collaborate with Cross River State to ensure the project’s success.
Dr. Jobson Osedion Ewalefoh, Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), described the seaport as a transformative project for Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector. He explained that the Bakassi Deep Seaport will serve as a new gateway for the North-Central and North-East regions while functioning as a major logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
Designed as a greenfield development capable of accommodating large vessels, the seaport will integrate with an industrial cluster and a Free Trade Zone, creating thousands of jobs and positioning Nigeria as a preferred maritime destination.
