The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of relying on “endless lies and deceit” following President Bola Tinubu’s recent commitment to construct the Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement released on Sunday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, characterised the President’s pledge in Uyo as a tactic to mislead the public. The opposition party argued that the administration is merely repeating old promises to secure political goodwill without a genuine intention to deliver on critical infrastructure.
The controversy follows President Tinubu’s recent announcement in Akwa Ibom, where he expressed the federal government’s intention to push forward with the massive maritime project.
Economic implications of the port dispute
The NDC maintained that the APC has a history of making grand infrastructure promises that never reach the implementation stage. According to Director, the current administration’s rhetoric regarding the Ibom Deep Sea Port is an attempt to mask its inability to address the broader economic difficulties facing the country.
The project is viewed by industry experts as a vital component for Nigeria’s maritime sector. A functional deep-sea port in the South-South region would significantly reduce the pressure on the congested Lagos-based ports, such as Apapa and Tin Can Island. If successful, the facility is expected to attract international shipping lines, create thousands of technical jobs, and stimulate industrial growth in the Niger Delta.
For Akwa Ibom, the port represents a potential shift in the state’s economic identity from an oil-dependent economy to a major maritime and logistics hub. However, the successful completion of the facility would require massive dredging and complex coastal engineering, necessitating significant capital investment and long-term political stability.
The NDC claimed that the government has failed to provide a transparent roadmap for the project. The party demanded that the presidency provide specific details, including a clear funding mechanism and a definitive construction timeline, rather than relying on what it described as “recycled” political slogans.
The Ibom Deep Sea Port has been a subject of political contention for years, with various administrations making varying degrees of progress or promises. While the Akwa Ibom State government has actively sought to partner with the federal government to realise the project, the lack of a definitive federal execution plan remains a point of friction between state and central authorities.
The federal government has yet to issue a formal response to the NDC’s allegations or provide the technical breakdown requested by the opposition regarding the port’s funding and commencement date.
Explore more News stories from Business Elites Africa.
