Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State made this request during a visit by the Calabar Port Manager, Mr Festus Olumati, and his team. Governor Otu emphasized the need for the NPA to dredge the channel to accommodate larger vessels and attract more maritime investors, including tourists.
Expressing his satisfaction with the progress made so far, Governor Otu acknowledged previous concerns about the low activity levels at the port. He urged the NPA to do more to revitalize the port and generate increased traffic.
Governor Otu also emphasized the importance of leveraging the existing relationship between the state government, the Navy, and other security agencies to attract more traffic to the facility. He expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts of the Navy and other security agencies to combat piracy and other criminal activities.
The governor encouraged the NPA to engage with the Chambers of Commerce and other relevant stakeholders to revitalize the port. He expressed the state's readiness to support investments in port development, such as dry docks, to boost economic activities in the region.
Regarding the challenges hindering the dredging of the Calabar Port channel, Governor Otu suggested that any encumbrances be settled out of court to ensure a more active port. He assured that the state government would grant concessions to cargo and ship owners if necessary, recognizing the port's economic potential and its contribution to revenue generation.
Governor Otu revealed that he had recently briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the situation at the ports and the proposed way forward.
In response, Calabar Ports Manager Mr Festus Olumati informed the governor about the NPA's aggressive marketing efforts targeting exporters in the South-East and South-South regions. He highlighted the significant increase in vessel arrivals and cargo tonnage since taking over the Calabar Port, resulting in enhanced revenue generation and job opportunities.
The development of the Calabar Seaport is seen as crucial for stimulating economic growth and generating desired revenue for the country, and the NPA is committed to actively promoting the port and driving its expansion.