Investor shortfall delayed Ibom Deep Seaport project — Gov Eno

"Ibom Deep Seaport is not going to be a white elephant thing. I can assure you the work has gone very far. We've done all the regulatory imperatives that are on the ground.

"We have all the certifications, all the approvals required, and the roads under construction to lead to the seaport proper. This is the most natural seaport you can ever have in Nigeria. There'll be no dredging of any sort.

"Originally, the Navy wanted to use it as the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, but I don't know what happened. We thank God they didn't use it, because it will serve the entire region more as a deep seaport to direct traffic away from the congestion of Lagos and deal with the Central African Republic as well as the hinterlands of Nigeria.

"We will work very hard to ensure it happens. It's an investment that can only happen if we attract foreign investment in the course of building a deep Seaport. Not only can Nigeria as a nation do it alone. We are still working to attract investment in that regard, and I'm sure it will work out," he stated.

Eno explained that the government is already embarking on a multi-billion-naira marine infrastructure project to revive maritime transportation, create commercial activity within the maritime corridor in the State, by creating direct and indirect employment around the maritime ecosystem.

"Work is currently ongoing in such areas as shore protection, terminal building, passenger warehouses, and cold rooms to ensure our fishermen can get the most economic benefits for their efforts in a sustainable manner," he said.

While speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the summit as strategic and timely, as the blue economy was pivotal to the nation's pursuit of a diversified economy.

Abbas, who was represented by Rear Admiral Sunday Atakpa at the event, noted that the sustainable development of the Niger Delta was connected to the effective governance and security of Nigeria's maritime domain.

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He mentioned that the Nigerian Navy established the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria in June 2024 to drive the knowledge base for the blue economy in Nigeria.

He added that the Navy would continue to safeguard critical maritime infrastructure, protect marine resources, and suppress illegal activities and other maritime crimes that undermine development in the region, as well as support collaborative efforts targeted at long-term stability, investor confidence, and inclusive growth in the Niger Delta.

"Nigeria has a vantage geographical position in the resource-rich Gulf of Guinea, the stores upon the country are blue economy endowments. Interestingly, these endowments, aside from Lagos and a small portion of Ogun state, are domiciled in the Niger Delta.

"To sustainably enhance these resources, which offer huge potential for national development, a secure, stable, and well-regulated maritime environment is required.

"It is in recognition of this trite truth that the Nigerian Navy places maritime security at the centre of national efforts to unlock Nigeria’s blue economy opportunities through sustained presence at sea, enhanced maritime domain awareness, robust interagency collaboration and partnerships with regional and international stakeholders.

"The Nigerian Navy remains committed to safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure, protecting marine resources and suppressing illegal activities such as food oil theft, piracy, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes that undermine development in the region," he stated.