Tasks ministry's staff for improved service delivery
By Itoro BASSEY
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon, says the state government has achieved 95 per cent completion of the Ibom Deep Seaport (IDSP), the project being developed as a key component of the state’s economic empowerment plans.
Mr Okon said this on Thursday at his first meeting with all staff of the Ministry of Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, following his recent assumption of office as Honourable Commissioner in the ministry.
Okon said the Akwa Ibom State Government is only awaiting approval from the Federal Government of Nigeria for the multi-billion dollars project to take off.
According to him, the IDSP project which is being developed by the Akwa Ibom State Government through a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, would have the capacity of employing a minimum of 5,000 workers when it becomes fully operational.
He said Akwa Ibom State is blessed with Governor Udom Emmanuel at the helm of affairs, as he is using the state's resources in tackling priority areas of the economy for the benefit of the people.
He said the Ibom Deep Seaport would surely become operational with the cooperation of all government workers, just as it was achieved for the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, launched in June, 2019.
He described the Ibom airline as "a pride in the aviation industry in Nigeria", adding that it would only take a visionary and pragmatic governor, like Mr Udom Emmanuel, to achieve the establishment of such a huge project.
Mr Okon expressed joy that he was in charge of the Ministry of Special Duties and Aviation Development as commissioner when the airline launched its maiden flight.
The commissioner therefore called on staff of his ministry to support the seaport project by being morally upright in the discharge of their duties for increase efficiency and productivity.
Recalling that he earlier served as commissioner in the Ministry of Economic Development for seven months in 2013, Mr Okon, who described his second coming to the ministry as divine, urged the members of staff to desist from peddling of malicious information and backbiting of colleagues.
He promised that his administration in the ministry would take care of the staff, and that he would also address challenges facing workers, such as lack of operational vehicles, poor working environment, furniture and equipment, and training of staff, as earlier listed by Mr Effiong Ekpenyong, the permanent secretary in the ministry, while addressing the commissioner on the issue of staff welfare.
Upon its final completion, the Federal Government of Nigeria will own the Ibom Deep seaport through the Nigeria Ports Authority, and in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Government and private investors.
Situated in Mbo local council area, south-east region of Akwa Ibom State, the seaport project received proper attention when Governor Udom Emmanuel mounted the saddle of governance beginning from 2015.
The administration of former governor Godswill Akpabio reportedly acquired only the land, but never carried out any substantial development of the project.
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