By Abasi Ita, Calabar
A former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe has tasked state governors from the region to develop a road map toward optimum exploration of the vast maritime potentials of the Niger Delta to fast track its economic development.
Alaibe who spoke in Calabar over weekend at the formal inauguration of a ferry service floated by Abitto Global Services for Calabar – Uyo shuttles stressed that ” It’s now urgent for leaders in the region to harness our rich natural maritme sector which has remained hugely untapped to fast track socio economic prosperity”
He sued for effective collaboration among stakeholders in the Niger Delta to create an enabling environment needed to attract investors in the maritime sector to curtail overdependance on oil revenues.
Chief Alaibe applauded the management of Abitto Global Services for the innovative concept which he noted will provide travellers with viable option to the untold hardship facing commuters along the deplorable Calabar Itu road while shortening traveling time.
Speaking, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku expressed delight at the development revealing that the agency is committed to providing logistic support to similar genuine ventures intended to ameliorate the transportation difficulties attributable to poor road network crisscrossing states in the region which is a paramount concern to the federal government.
In his opening remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Abitto Global Services, Richard Akinaka said he was inspired “to explore a viable alternative means of transport in order to strengthen existing bond between the two sister state of Akwa Ibom and Cross River given their rich cultural and ancestral heritage”
According to him,”Water transportation is the safest means of transportation and a driver of economic growth in any society. This is because, it’s God’s original means of transportation before the advent of land and air travel by man”
In his goodwill message, Managing Director,Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Ekpenyong Ojoi posited that the development will attract additional values to the tourism drive of the state government as tourists will now be able to explore the rich ecosystem of the Cross River, apart from overcoming the stress posed by the Calabar Itu road.
Commissioning the ferry services expected to convey passengers from Marina Resort in Calabar to Nwaniba Timber Beach in Uyo daily, the Senator representing Cross River South and chairman,senate committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong lauded the Initiative describing it as a catalyst to current moves to connect the region through access road network with a view of accelerating sustainable development
The event was attended by the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on marine services, Capt Otu Ita Otu rtd as well as the Commissioner, Ministry of Transport Pst.Ekpenyong Cobham.