— Otu
By Onwa Ekor
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, says collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) would unlock the economic potential of Calabar Port while amplifying the development of the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.
Otu, while receiving the Chairman, NPA Governing Board, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, on a courtesy visit, affirmed that the strategic location of the state made partnership with the Ports Authority formidable for benefits to Cross River and Nigeria at large.
According to the governor, “you were right to have chosen Cross River for your inaugural meeting, God has placed us in a position that aligns naturally with the NPA, we must therefore build this friendship and collaboration so that our State and our country benefit.”
He argued that Nigeria’s economy had suffered from years of underinvestment in port infrastructure, citing the gap between the country and peers such as South Africa and Brazil in marine trade.
Otu maintained that increasing maritime capacity was key to boosting national trade volumes and GDP.
On the Calabar Port, the governor who pointed out long-standing challenges such as dredging and low vessel traffic, however expressed hope that with renewed commitment, the facility could regain its commercial viability.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, which is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership.
His words: “We have taken time to study the commercial viability of the Bakassi Deep Seaport and anchored it around agriculture and other export potentials.
“By the time the port becomes operational, it will be a commercial success,” Otu explained.
He assured the board of his administration’s readiness to work closely with the authorities to achieve goals, adding that “your coming here at this critical moment is for you to change the narrative, let us justify this visit with actions that will stand the test of time.”
Earlier, NPA Board Chairman, Adeyeye, commended Cross River’s support for maritime development, describing Calabar Port as a vital national asset with potential to serve the South-South, South-East, and North-Central regions.
Adeyeye disclosed that the Authority, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, were working on a dredging programme for the Calabar channel to boost vessel access.
The Board Chairman also lauded Cross River government for funding preliminary studies for the Bakassi Deep Seaport, which is undergoing approval processes at the Federal Executive Council.
The NPA chairman outlined priority areas for collaboration with the State, including tackling community disruptions to port operations, rehabilitating key federal roads, revitalising Tinapa Resort, promoting structured export of agricultural and mineral resources, resolving land encroachment issues, developing port-adjacent industrial parks, strengthening security against smuggling and piracy, as well as positioning Calabar as a cruise tourism destination.
“We believe that with stronger collaboration between the NPA and the Cross River government, the Calabar Port can reach its full potential as a catalyst for trade, economic growth, tourism development, and industrial transformation,” Adeyeye assured.
