Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his administration’s dedication to advancing reforms and attracting investment in the state’s power and maritime sectors, framing these efforts as critical to economic growth.
Governor Eno made the statement upon his return to Nigeria at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, following a state visit to the United Kingdom where he accompanied President Bola Tinubu. During the trip, he engaged with potential investors, particularly for power sector projects, and conveyed optimism about forthcoming collaborations.
The governor acknowledged the complexity of transformative projects, stating, “It takes a lot of work, whether it is Ibom Deep Seaport or Power; it takes a lot of work.” He highlighted “giant strides” in power sector reform but cautioned that systemic change requires patience, describing the process as “precept upon precept.” His comments come amid a widespread national power outage, which he characterized as a challenge his administration is committed to overcoming.
Regarding the Ibom Deep Seaport, a flagship infrastructure project, Governor Eno urged public patience. He confirmed that feasibility studies for the seaport have been completed and paid for, emphasizing that such developments follow rigorous procedural timelines. “We are engaging investors on the Ibom Deep Seaport… Things don’t happen overnight, but we have good engagements, and people are showing interest,” he said, noting steady, incremental progress.
The governor’s remarks underscore a strategic focus on public-private partnerships to revitalize key economic assets. The Ibom Deep Seaport is viewed as a potential hub for maritime trade in the South-South region, while enhanced power generation and distribution aim to address long-standing deficits that hinder industrial and commercial activity.
While no specific investment deals were announced, the governor’s diplomatic engagement signals an intent to leverage international partnerships. The next steps likely involve detailed negotiations with interested investors, continued policy reforms in the state’s power framework, and the execution of subsequent project phases for the deep seaport.
The administration’s approach balances ambitious vision with procedural diligence, linking sectoral improvements directly to broader goals of job creation and sustainable economic development for Akwa Ibom State.
