Maritime stakeholders in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and its environs, have commended the state Governor, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for constituting a technical committee for the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport project in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The stakeholders and other seaport experts, who spoke in different interviews, described the governor’s action as “a well thought economic redemption initiative,” as others tagged it, “another rightful step towards fast-tracking the Akwa Ibom State and the nation’s dwindling economy” in the maritime sub-sector.

They urged the new state administration of Gov. Udom Emmanuel, not to “side-line” in actually realising the much expected Ibaka Deep Seaport project.

The 10-member technical committee for the realisation of the much publicised deep seaport project is headed by a one-time director-general of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barr. (Mrs) Mfon Usoro.

Other members include, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Mr. Chidi Izuwah, Mr. Idongesit Udofa, Mr. Ekong Umo Otong; while the others are, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan, Elder (Barr) Aniekan Ukpanah, Mr. Charles Udonwah, the immediate past Minister for Lands and Housing, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, and the immediate past Special Adviser, Bureau of Technical Matters in the state, Engr. Etido Inyang.

The Senior Special Assistant (Media) and Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Udom Emmanuel, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, stated that “the state government has given the technical committee two term of reference” to work on different phases of the deep seaport and “to ensure that the project is timely delivered.”

Udoh said that the technical committee in the discharge of its assignment would report directly to the executive governor, while expressing the expectation of the government that the committee members would bring to bear, “their various technical layers of competence in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

•Photo shows Governor Emmanuel.