Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said the successful delivery of the Ibom Deep Seaport project depends on attracting investors, particularly foreign partners, to drive the state’s blue economy agenda.

The Ibom Deep Seaport is listed as a flagship project under the current administration’s ARISE Agenda. However, some residents have questioned the pace of progress, especially after Governor Eno cited the port’s completion as a key reason for his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year.

Speaking at the three-day Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit themed, “Harnessing Blue Economy Potentials for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta,” held at Four Points by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene, Eno said the state is actively seeking investors to move the project forward and unlock its economic potential.

Represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom (SAN), the governor stated that all necessary regulatory approvals and certifications for the seaport have been secured, while construction of access roads to the site is ongoing.

“Ibom Deep Seaport will not become a white elephant project. Significant progress has been made. All regulatory requirements, certifications and approvals are in place, and the roads leading to the seaport are under construction,” he said.

He described the facility as a natural deep seaport that would not require dredging, adding that it has the capacity to ease congestion at Lagos ports and serve not only Nigeria but also landlocked countries such as the Central African Republic and parts of Nigeria’s hinterland.

According to him, although the Nigerian Navy had initially considered the site for the Eastern Naval Command headquarters, the project is better positioned to serve broader regional economic interests as a commercial deep seaport.

Governor Eno stressed that the scale of the project makes foreign investment indispensable.

“This is an investment that requires foreign participation. It is not something Nigeria can execute alone. We are working tirelessly to attract the needed investment, and we are confident it will materialise,” he said.

He added that the state government has already embarked on multi-billion-naira marine infrastructure projects aimed at revitalising maritime transportation and stimulating economic activities along the state’s waterways. These projects include shoreline protection, terminal buildings, passenger warehouses and cold storage facilities to support fishermen and enhance sustainable economic returns within the maritime ecosystem.

In his goodwill message, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the summit as timely and strategic, noting that the blue economy is central to Nigeria’s drive for economic diversification.

Represented by Rear Admiral Sunday Atakpa, Abbas said sustainable development in the Niger Delta is closely linked to effective governance and security of Nigeria’s maritime domain.

He revealed that the Nigerian Navy established the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria in June 2024 to strengthen knowledge and capacity development for the blue economy.

The Naval Chief reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to protecting critical maritime infrastructure, safeguarding marine resources and combating crimes such as oil theft, piracy and illegal bunkering, which threaten development in the region.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea presents significant blue economy opportunities, most of which are concentrated in the Niger Delta.

“To fully harness these resources for national development, we must ensure a secure, stable and well-regulated maritime environment,” he said, adding that the Navy will continue sustained sea patrols, enhance maritime domain awareness and collaborate with local and international partners to promote investor confidence and long-term stability in the region.