President Bola Tinubu has approved the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, announcing the decision at a rally in Uyo on Friday.
Tinubu made the announcement at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium after Governor Umo Eno asked the federal government to deliver the project.
The governor said the port could open the state to international trade and investment and serve the wider South-South economy.
Tinubu told the crowd he had heard the governor’s request for the deep-sea port and approved it, Punch reported. Eno’s pledge came first: “Give us Ibom Deep Seaport, we will deliver two million votes,” he said.
Eno linked the request to the 2027 presidential election, pledging that the state would deliver 2 million votes for Tinubu’s re-election if the federal government approved and facilitated the port’s delivery.
Tinubu had promised a deep-sea port during his 2023 campaign at the same stadium. Friday’s rally formed part of his visit to inaugurate Akwa Ibom projects.
Details of financing and when construction would begin remain unclear.
Sources: Punch; Channels Television
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