News
Construction of $3.5bn Bakassi seaport to begin soon, says ICRC
By Francesca Hangeior
The Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, has said that the construction of the 3.5 billion dollar Bakassi Deep Seaport would soon commence.
This is contained in a statement issued by the ICRC’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Ifeanyi Nwoko, in Abuja on Monday.
Ewalefoh made this known at a High-level Stakeholders’ meeting where a statement of endorsement for the port project was signed.
The ICRC D-G who said the construction would commence under the administration of Govenor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, assured that the project would be completed in record time.
He said that his assurance was premised on four things which include the fact that the government of the state had demonstrated great commitment and zeal required for the project.
Others he said were the newly streamlined ICRC Public Private Partnership processes; the securing of a financier for the project; and the support of all other stakeholders present.
Ewalefoh said the 3.5 billion dollar project whose funding has been secured from the African Import-Export Bank, is to be executed as a PPP project.
He said that the ICRC had streamlined its PPP processes to ensure they were faster than before.
According to Ewalefoh, we are not compromising standards, we are only making the process more efficient which I have commenced as the D-G of ICRC.
He assured the Governor of Cross River that the project would be completed under his tenure with the support of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Shippers Council and all the stakeholders.
The statement read, “You have demonstrated that you have what it takes to do it, just like President Tinubu has given confidence to investors to bring their funds to Nigeria.
“This is not a project that you started, the baton was only handed over to you, but like the man on the last lap, you are running the fastest and you will cut the tape.
“With the team you have assembled and the activities that are going on, you will arrive at the destination of the Bakassi Deep Seaport.
“I am convinced that in your tenure, with your team, Bakassi Deep Seaport will be a reality to the people of Cross River state and Nigerians.”
The D-G said that the port was very important as it would diversify the traffic from the Western Port and serve as a succour to the Eastern parts of Nigeria.
He added that the Bakassi Deep Seaport is an Agro-Value-Chain port that will explore the potential in the nation’s agricultural sector in the South-South part of Nigeria, the North as well as all of Africa.
Ewalefoh thanked Afreximbank for believing in the state and Nigeria as he reassured investors that Nigeria was a choice destination for investment opportunities.
The statement said a high point of the meeting was the signing of the declaration of endorsement by all critical stakeholders to the projects including the ICRC and the Cross River State Government.
Others include the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Shippers Council.
Honourable Paul Sunday Nnamchi, representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives, has fulfilled his promise to illuminate communities in Isi Uzo Local Government Area.
The lawmaker has just begun the deployment of high-density solar-powered street lights in Ikem Nkwo, marking the beginning of a massive rollout of the street lamps across the communities in Isi Uzo.
This initiative, which started in Enugu East Local Government Area in 2024, aims to support the fight against insecurity in the state which according to him was to add to what Chief Security Officer of Enugu State Barrister Peter Mba had done to secure the state to attracts foreign investments.
The lawmaker expressed concern over banditry attacks, particularly by herdsmen, in some communities within Isi Uzo and Enugu East Local Government Areas in the recent pasts.
He believes that illuminating these areas with high-density street lights would help address the insecurity adding that he was prioritizing border and farming communities in Isi Uzo, where banditry has displaced residents and restricted farming activities.
Communities in Ikem, Eha-Amufu in Isi Uzo which borders Enugu and Benue State and Ugwogo-Nike in Enugu East have been vulnerable to these attacks due to their strategic locations.
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has extended warm wishes to Nigerian workers as the country marks the 2025 edition of International Workers’ Day.
Kalu praised workers across various sectors for their commitment and resilience, describing them as the engine that keeps the nation moving. He acknowledged their sacrifices and unrelenting drive, especially during tough economic times.
In his message, he highlighted the efforts of the current administration under President Bola Tinubu to improve the welfare of public servants. He referenced the National Assembly’s prompt backing of the new minimum wage as a sign of the government’s seriousness about workers’ wellbeing.
The Deputy Speaker appealed for continued patience and understanding from Nigerians, noting that the ongoing economic reforms, while challenging, are designed to bring long-term relief and prosperity.
Kalu also called for unity, and said the country can only overcome its present difficulties if citizens and leaders work together in good faith.
He therefore urged workers to keep the faith and remain steadfast in their duties, assuring them that brighter days are on the horizon, and wished Nigerian workers a peaceful and fulfilling May Day celebration.
The Osun State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has received thousands of decampees from the All Progressives Congress and other political parties into its fold.
The decampees, who are mostly from the Omisore Youth Support Forum (OYSF) joined the party at a ceremony held at party secretariat in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, on Wednesday.
The were received by the Chairman of the PDP in Osun, Hon. Sunday Bisi, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff and other party leader.
While receiving the decampees, Bisi renamed the group as Adeleke Youth Support Forum (AYSF) as they declared their support for Adeleke’s 2026 re-election bid.
One of the leaders of the decampees, Mr Francis Fasogbon said they were “inspired by the good governance delivered by Governor Ademola Adeleke”.
-
Metro15 hours agoGunmen storm University of Benin teaching hospital, kill doctor
-
Metro15 hours agoFCTA destroys 601 motorbikes over violations
-
News7 hours agoAlleged money laundering: EFCC produces Aisha Achimugu in court
-
News15 hours agoJust in: FG declares tomorrow public holiday
-
News8 hours agoJUST IN: Major General Paul Ufuoma Omu Rtd, dies at 84
-
News11 hours agoSAD! Professor’s son takes own life inside varsity staff quarters
-
News8 hours agoTinubu hails Dangote’s World Bank appointment
-
News15 hours agoFull list: FG approves N110bn to rehabilitate medical schools 18 institutions