Akpabio, talk of Ibom Seaport, not Tinubu"s re-election
The Southerner -------- Why is the reelection project of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, more important to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, than the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State?
By Akanimo Sampson
The Southerner -------- Why is the reelection project of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, more important to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, than the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State?
Akpabio, recently assured President Tinubu of the Akwa Ibom State’s full support for his reelection bid.
He made the pledge when he led a delegation of stakeholders from the state on a courtesy visit to Tinubu,, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
While the delegation included Akpabio's wife, Ekaette Unoma, Governor Umo Eno, his deputy, Akon Eyakenyi; former governor Udom Emmanuel, traditional rulers from the state, among others, Akpabio said Governor Eno has been promoting unity and harmony in the state, noting that the entire political leadership of the state will meet for more reconciliation.
At the event, Tinubu noted, “I have listened to the governor’s concerns about a deep-sea port and a state visit. You have a very good governor, and he has the fear of God and love for his people. I watch the Arise programme of the state, and have been following developments".
Governor Eno, while presenting his scorecard to the president, said the state was ready to work with the federal government, particularly in building infrastructure like the Ibom deep sea port and intervening in ecological challenges.
Eno has been soliciting Abuja’s support for the construction of the Ibom deep seaport in Mbo Local Government Area of the state as plans by previous administrations to construct the seaport have met with little success over the years, despite organising a road show in London to attract investors during the tenure of Akpabio as governor of the state (2007-2015).
The seaport is part of the Ibom Industrial City which comprises, petrochemical facilities, hotels and a fertiliser plant that has been on the drawing board since 1999. Eno wants support for the development of the seaport as part of a broader plan to revive ports in the South-South geopolitical zone.
There have been plans to revive and strengthen ports in the zone to reduce the burden on Lagos. To that end, improving infrastructure, including roads and railways, is key for facilitating trade and economic activity in the main oil and gas region of Nigeria. That will, unarguably, encourage businesses to move to the Eastern ports in a bid to decongest Lagos, and promote economic diversification.
The development of the Ibom Deep Seaport Governor Eno is pushing, will enhance Nigeria's maritime trade and reduce reliance on Lagos. The South-South has a significant economic potential, and the development of its ‘abandoned’ ports can contribute to the overall growth of the Nigerian economy.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Lagos ports - Apapa and Tin Can Island - are experiencing significant congestion, leading to delays and inefficiencies. Yet the existing ports in the South-South, lack the capacity to handle all the import and export cargo, thus, leading to vessels birthing at neighboring ports.
Some ports in the region require modernisation and upgrade to improve efficiency and capacity.
There's a need for improved infrastructure, including roads and rail, to facilitate the movement of goods to and from the ports. For instance, the Calabar, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Warri ports, are very crucial for trade and economic activity.
Unfortunately, the ports are facing the challenges of congestion, and the urgent need for modernisation and increased capacity to reduce reliance on the Lagos ports. It should, however, be noted that the Calabar Port is in Cross River State capital, that of Onne, in Rivers State. While there is also the Port Harcourt Port, the Warri and Koko ports are in Delta State.
It is expected that Akpabio should deploy the same energy he is using for the Tinubu 2027 project, to seek efficient and functional seaports in his geopolitical bloc.
Leading the Tinubu reelection campaign without any tangible dividend of democracy in his home state (deep seaport) and in the zone, does not speak well of him as a highly placed leader in the Tinubu administration.
Akpabio has been vociferous in expressing confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership, claiming that Nigeria is in “safe hands” under his administration with no legacy project of the Renewed Hope Agenda yet in the South-South.
In a congratulatory message to mark Tinubu’s 73rd birthday, Akpabio credited the president’s role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress as instrumental to the Muhammadu Buhari victories in the 2015 and the 2019 polls.
Buhari, it must be noted defeated former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election, marking the first time an incumbent lost re-election in Nigeria. For that, Akpabio described Tinubu as “one of the greatest and audacious leaders Nigeria has produced,” acknowledging his influence in the APC’s rise to power.
While Akpabio acknowledged Tinubu's indelible role in the formation of APC in 2013, which successfully challenged the dominance of the PDP in 2015, there is no formal groundbreaking ceremony for the deep seaport nor any noticeable presidential action aimed at bringing ports in the eastern corridor back to life.
If the Senate president is arguing that there’s no doubt that Tinubu's support was instrumental in the victory of Buhari and the APC in 2015 and 2019, when will he also say that Tinubu is instrumental to the industrial revolution talking place in the South-South?
In the last two years, Tinubu, according to Akpabio, has demonstrated astute leadership, advocating for democratic values and bold economic reforms that have started to yield dividends. But, that is not being experienced in the vastly polluted oil and gas region.
“With you in the driving seat, Nigeria is in safe hands and Nigerians could not have made a better choice in 2023. Your leadership, vision and dedication to our great nation are truly inspiring”, Akpabio added, though same cannot be said of the oil region.
Continuing, Akpabio said he is privileged to have the opportunity to work with Tinubu, promising that he will continue to ensure a seamless synergy between the Executive and the Legislature. Unfortunately, that
seamless synergy has not yielded any sustainable poverty-eradicating projects for the electorate in the oil-bearing communities.
“As Senate president, I have had the privilege of working closely with you, and I must say that your passion for Nigeria’s progress is contagious. Today marks a significant milestone in your life, and I am honoured to celebrate with you. In your 73 years on earth, you have pursued a political career marked by a strong commitment to progressive democratic principles and the uncanny courage in tackling authoritarian regimes”, Akpabio said.
Much as we rejoice with the president for his 73rd birthday, we will wish to ask, what legacy projects are the electorate in the South-South expecting in Tinubu's 74th birthday celebration? Will the rustic rural communities of the region continue to wallow in abject poverty?
Or by then, will a greater majority of the employable peoples of the Niger Delta be gainfully employed? What compelling reason(s) will the electorate of the South-South have by the next election cycle to vote massively for Tinubu and his party? Time will tell
What's Your Reaction?
