Uyo- Chief Kunle Folarin, the Chairman of Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, NPCC, has said that Akwa Ibom will become a major maritime destination in Nigeria when ongoing plans to develop Ibaka Deep Seaport are concluded.

He said this at a news conference in Uyo on Tuesday.

Folarin said that the federal and state governments, as well as private sector organisations had shown considerable interest in the development of Ibaka Deep Seaport.

“The choice of Ibaka Deep Seaport is deliberate, as it will be the first deep seaport in the country. The Federal Government is highly interested in the seaport project,” he said.

Folarin said that NPCC, in collaboration with Akwa Ibom State Government, would hold a two-day maritime summit in Akwa Ibom from Wednesday, Dec. 7.

He said that the summit’s participants would also undertake a facility visit to the site of the deep seaport at Ibaka.

“Our mission here is to share with the good people of Akwa Ibom the opportunities that abound in the maritime sector of our national economy,” he said.

Saying that the summit’s theme — “Unlocking the Maritime Potential of Akwa Ibom State for Accelerated Economic Development in Nigeria” – was very apt, Folarin pledged the readiness of the NPCC to partner with the state government in maritime development efforts.

“The council has very fruitful and encouraging interaction with Gov. Godswill Akpabio and his executive team. We hope to continue the interaction with the public and other stakeholders in the state,

“The components of the summit, which will be anchored on eight papers that will be presented by erudite scholars and professionals, will lead to the evolution of a roadmap that will complement the good work of Gov. Akpabio,” he said.

Folarin said that the establishment of a deep seaport would bring about infrastructural and physical development, as well as the development of allied maritime industries.

He said that it would also create wealth, entrepreneurship and jobs, while fostering human capacity development and youth empowerment.

“The NPCC which is the umbrella body of all the critical stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector,” he said.

In response to a question on the challenges facing seaports across the country, Folarin stressed that cargo owners were primarily responsible for the removal of cargoes from the ports.