By Shadrach Okon
A maritime expert and a lecturer of Marine Law, Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, Dr. Kingsley Ekwere, has called on Akwa Ibom State Government to make the various coastlines in Akwa Ibom State, attractive for investors and tourists by turning those coastlines to tourist hubs that will generate income for the State and foster economic growth in Akwa Ibom State.
Dr. Kingsley Ekwere made call while speaking on Friday, May 16, at the Dakkada Towers, during A Maritime Trade and Logistics Sensitisation Workshop with the theme ‘Harnessing the Economic Potentials of Blue Economy Value Chain in Akwa Ibom State for Productivity and Sustainable Growth.
He urged the state government to borrow a leaf from countries like Poland, Australia, Bahamas, Mexico, Italy among others with attractive coastlines which are now tourists hubs that attract tourists across the globe, generating revenue for those countries.
Dr. Kingsley Ekwere who is also the Rector, Marine and Oceans Academy, Nigeria, stressed that “There is a need for skills acquisition not just onshore but in the waterways. There is no greater time to look into this than now that the Ibom Deep Seaport is about to emerge for West Africa. Whatever anybody can do, we can do also, and we should be very interested in skills acquisition to function once the Ibom Deep Seaport is birthed.”
Speaking on maritime logistics, the President of Brightflow Conglomerate, Dr. (Mrs.) Aniefiok Iton, noted that the maritime sector held immense potential, and that if harnessed properly, its impact could surpass that of oil exploration, adding that the maritime industry is a vital component of global trade, which shipping plays a critical role in the movement of people, commodities, cargoes, materials, goods and services across international borders.
Also speaking, a lecturer at Maritime Academy, Nigeria, Dr. Friday Ufia, noted that while maritime trade was the exchange of goods and services across the oceans and seas, the logistics was about customer service, disclosing that there are short courses at the Maritime Academy to equip people in the area to be part of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
“Akwa Ibom has the longest coastline of 129km, a good road network, presence of a maritime academy to train our people. We should take advantage of the domiciliation of the Maritime Academy to get trained on how we can benefit from the Ibom Deep Seaport as owners of the port.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stated that while the administration of Pastor Umo Eno is diligently working to bring Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, it was important to ensure that Akwa Ibom people are prepared and well-positioned to be active players in the maritime sector.
According to him, “Currently, Lagos and Rivers States are the players in the maritime sector because of their seaports. With the commitment of His Excellency Governor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom is set to join this league through the construction of Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City,” he said, adding that “while the State Government is working to bring Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, Akwa Ibom should have a pool of highly skilled manpower for employment at the port and the industries that will be set up in IIC. This is the essence of today’s sensitisation workshop.”
Comrade Ememobong stressed that while the sensitisation was organised to enable participants to gain deeper insights into the maritime and blue economic sector, assess the lucrative nature and viability of this sector, and see how they can be a part of this industry.
“Success only happens when opportunity meets with preparation. Opportunities are always around, but only the prepared minds are those who see the opportunity when it happens; that is why the seminar is organised. Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City will bring opportunities; we want our people to be prepared so that when this administration actualises these projects, our people can be at the forefront of reaping benefits.” Comrade Ememobong said.
