Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project For Completion Sept – Eno

By Bassey Nkponam
ORON
The Akwa Ibom government has flagged off the Oron Maritime Infrastructure project, proposing September, this year, for the completion of the project.
  The project, which is meant to rekindle sea-line trade activities and reinvigorate the ease of marine transport services in the coastal area, compromises (complements) the reconstruction of the Oron Marine Jetty, an aquatic produce commercial hub, ferry terminal, as well as leisure resort.
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who flagged off the construction of the project Wednesday, at the Oron Beach, Idua Road, in Oron Local Government Area, described the project as the turning around of the economic fortunes of the people of Oron Federal Constituency, in line with his campaign promises, noting that the project currently provides daily jobs for over a thousand locals, and appealed for support from the people of Oron to the initiative. 
He said since government does not have the financial muscle to construct railways without the support of the federal government, it will construct its waterways, and put ferries on the waterways. 
On the issue of maintenance, Eno said about 15 engineers will be trained by the Nigerian Navy for the task of ensuring proper maintenance of the project, saying, “You can be rest assured that we will fulfill our part of the bargain to the contractor. And we look forward to coming here between August and September, because we want to wait to receive the ferry, so that we can commission all on the same day. I’d like to take that ferry to Calabar that day, and also come back.
The governor lauded the Superintendent of the Naval Shipyard, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Rear Admiral Etop Ebe, for his commitment to the realisation of the first passenger cruise ferry for the Jetty, saying that contract for the second ferry will soon be awarded. 
He said it was divinity that has brought Rear Admiral Ebe, a son of the soil, to head the Nigerian Naval Shipyard at this time, saying, being a son of the soil, God has given him the opportunity to put his name and signature in gold, that he was part of the project.
Eno listed his other projects in the federal constituency to include the ongoing 14.5 kilometer Nsit Atai-Okopedi dual carriage road handled by HENSEK, the 11 kilometer Oron-Uya Oro Road, handled by Amitec, the Unyenge Road that leads to the seaport, the Effiong Essang and Ukpong Streets as well as the 2.9 kilometer Road in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area, inaugurated last year. 
The state chief executive officer, who said government was determined to take development to every nook and cranny of Akwa Ibom to put an end to the rural-urban migration, sued for more support to enable him do more.
Eno urged youths in Oron to continuously cooperate with the contractor to enable timely completion of the project, expressing hope that the federal government will continuously support the State by supporting it in railways, highways, the quest for the Ibom Deep Seaport, as well as money to work on the ecological site.
“We are determined to take development to every nook and crannies of our State. And we are determined to ensure that we end the rural-urban migration. That’s why we’re developing all of these rural communities. So please, I’d like to appeal to the youths, to please continue to cooperate with the contractor, so we can finish this project on time.
“We know that the federal government will come to our aid, and continue to support us in railways, in highways, and will also support us in our quest for the Ibom Deep Seaport, and support us to also get money to work on our ecological site.”
The deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who lauded Governor Eno for his love to her people, recalled the position of Oron in the past, as an economic nerve center in the country, noting that the marine project will catapult the area back to its past glory. 
The project contractor and managing director of JMK Construction Company Limited, Mr Faysal Harb, thanked the governor for the confidence in his ability and promised to complete the project in the next six months. 
Giving an overview of the project, the commissioner for works and fire service, Professor Eno Ibanga, said the Oron Maritime Hub project has steel shore protections, four jetties, a terminal, cool room, and warehouse, a 5,500-square-meter car park that will accommodate at least 200 cars with internal road networks and a recreational centre that will attract tourists, with 100 percent security guaranteed.
Ibanga thanked the governor for initiating the project, assuring that he was working closely with the delivery advisor, Mr. Orman Esin, to ensure its timely completion.
Speaking separately, the former commissioner for transport, Mr. Orman Esin, who doubles as the delivery advisor for the project, and the clan head of Idua, Chief Asuquo, appreciated the governor at the event, while Rear Admiral Etop Ebe, who commended the governor for deliberately setting out to develop the entire State, promised to deliver the passenger ferry as required. 
High point of the event was a vote of confidence unanimously passed on the governor, following a motion moved by House of Representatives member for Oron Federal Constituency, Mr Martin Esin, and seconded by the House of Assembly member for the area, Mrs. Kenim Onofiok.