Akwa Ibom Inspects Near-Completion 64-Seater Ferry to Boost Marine Transport and Blue Economy

(Akwa Ibom govt inspection team at Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt. Photo by The Sun Nigeria)
"A team of Akwa Ibom State Government officials said they had completed the examination of a 64-seater yacht built at the Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt.

According to Dr Essien Ndueso, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Research and Documentation, the team, lead by General Koko, Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, and accompanied by the Delivery Adviser, expects the passenger vessel to be ready in June.

He stated that the inspection team included the Special Assistant to the Governor on Multimedia and Web Management, Engr. Solomon Eyo, and the Director of Marine Services in the State Ministry of Transport, Mr. Ekerete Edo.

"Governor Umo Eno's commitment to develop and expand marine transportation for the sake of Akwa Ibom State's people has seen tremendous development, with the Nigerian Navy's 64-seat passenger and cargo ferry nearing completion at the Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt.

"With assurances from the Nigerian Navy that the project awarded by Governor Eno, which was at 80 per cent completion, will be ready in June."

The team also included Engr. Solomon Eyo, Special Assistant to the Governor on Multimedia and Web Management, and Mr. Ekerete Edo, Director of Marine Services in the State Ministry of Transport.

"The visit was part of a coordinated technical and administrative oversight aimed at guaranteeing prompt delivery, and operational readiness of the vessel in line with Governor Eno’s promise to reinstate marine transportation and boost the blue economy of the state.”

According to Ndueso, Rear Admiral Ikenna Ubani, the superintendent of the Naval Shipyard, said during the team round during the inspection that the required funding assistance had been obtained to complete the project and that the vessel would be prepared for a test run in June.

He said that all of the ship's major installations were finished, leaving only a few minor details to complete.

He stated that the ship would go through final inspections before traveling down to Akwa Ibom State at the end of June.

Zinc anodes, car deck reinforcement to support vehicle loads, and structural weld rectification are further technical installations aboard the ship.

"The construction of the loading ramp, the bridge control console, electrical wiring, navigation and communication systems, and the installation of solar facilities, as well as plumbing and ventilation installations, continue in accordance with projected timelines."

In order to guarantee a smooth operational deployment upon delivery, he added the crew also examined integration plans between the ferry and the Oron jetty infrastructure now being built in the state.

"The visit emphasized the project's human capacity components, with trained personnel already prepared to manage operations, going beyond infrastructure."