Speaking at the occasion, Dr Oyetola described the Bakassi Deep Seaport as a strategic national asset that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the objective of repositioning Nigeria as a leading maritime, trade, and logistics hub.
“The Bakassi Deep Seaport has the potential to significantly enhance livelihoods, generate thousands of employment opportunities, and expand economic prospects for both Cross River State and the nation,” the minister stated. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing full institutional and policy support to ensure the project’s successful implementation, while commending the state government for its dedication and proactive engagement.
The issuance of the certificate follows the recent approval of the Bakassi Deep Seaport by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), marking a key milestone in the development of the project.
In his remarks, Governor Otu described the occasion as historic, expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for its continued support and emphasising Cross River State’s readiness to lead in Nigeria’s blue economy development.
“Receiving this certificate represents a significant milestone, providing momentum to our efforts. With the professionalism and commitment of the ministry and private sector partners, we are on course to realise the Bakassi Deep Seaport project,” the governor said.
Governor Otu highlighted Cross River State’s strategic coastal advantage as critical for driving maritime growth, noting parallels with global maritime leaders such as Brazil. He also commended President Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and appointing Dr Oyetola, describing these actions as pivotal to unlocking the full potential of the sector.
Also addressing the gathering, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr Jobson Ewalefoh, described the Bakassi Deep Seaport as a transformative project for Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem. He emphasised that the port will serve as a key maritime gateway for the North-Central and North-Eastern regions and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
