ORON, NIGERIA– In a significant step toward revitalizing maritime trade and boosting local commerce, Governor Umo Bassey Eno, has officially flagged off the reconstruction of the Oron Marine Jetty, a multi-purpose maritime hub set to transform the coastal economy.
The project, scheduled for completion by September 2025, is expected to enhance marine transportation, create jobs, and improve the region’s commercial and leisure sectors.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Governor Eno, emphasized the project’s immediate impact, noting that over a thousand local workers are already benefiting from daily employment.
He urged the community to support the initiative, assuring that the state government remains committed to its timely delivery.
“You can be rest assured that we will fulfill our part of the bargain with the contractor. We look forward to coming here between August and September because we want to wait for the ferry to arrive so we can commission everything on the same day. I’d like to take that ferry to Calabar and return on that day,” the Governor stated.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary Ekerette Udoh said Beyond job creation, the project is set to revitalize Oron’s historical role as a maritime trade hub.
The new jetty will include steel shore protections, four jetties, a ferry terminal, a cold storage facility for aquatic produce, a warehouse, a spacious car park, an internal road network, and a recreational center designed to attract tourists.
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The development is expected to restore Oron’s past economic significance, positioning it as a key player in the state’s broader economic agenda.
Governor Eno acknowledged the contributions of Rear Admiral Etop Ebe, Superintendent of the Naval Shipyard, Port Harcourt, for spearheading the construction of the first passenger cruise ferry for the jetty.
He further announced plans to commission a second ferry and highlighted a partnership with the Nigerian Navy to train 15 engineers who will oversee the jetty’s operations and maintenance.
Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi expressed confidence in the project’s transformative potential, recalling Oron’s past as a major commercial hub. “This initiative will restore our lost glory and create opportunities for the people of Oron,” she said.
In addition to the maritime hub, Governor Eno reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development in the Oron Federal Constituency.
He cited ongoing projects such as the 14.5-kilometer Nsit Atai-Okopedi dual carriageway, the 11-kilometer Oron-Uya Oro Road, the Unyenge Road leading to the seaport, and various other road projects aimed at boosting connectivity and economic activities.
Project contractor and Managing Director of JMK Construction Company Limited, Mr. Faysal Harb, assured that the project would be completed on schedule, emphasizing the company’s dedication to quality and efficiency.
Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga, provided further details on the project’s scope, including its security features and tourism potential.
Truth Live News reports that the event concluded with a unanimous vote of confidence in Governor Eno’s leadership, led by Hon. Martin Esin of the House of Representatives and seconded by Hon. Kenim Onofiok of the House of Assembly.
With the launch of the Oron Maritime Hub, the coastal community stands on the brink of a new era of economic prosperity, reinforcing the state government’s vision of sustainable development and enhanced connectivity across Akwa Ibom’s waterways.