By Solomon OKPO
The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to construct a new jetty at the Nwaniba Waterfront, marking another major stride in its drive to strengthen transport infrastructure and expand water transportation across the state.
The proposed Nwaniba jetty will bring to three the number of jetties currently under construction by the Governor Umo Eno–led administration, following ongoing works at Oron and Calabar. The initiative is aimed at improving mobility for residents, tourists and visitors, while unlocking the state’s maritime potential.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Anthony Luke, disclosed this on Tuesday in Uyo during a radio interview on ARISE Update, aired on Memories 96.5FM. According to him, the government is building world-class jetties equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to reposition water transportation as a viable, safe and efficient alternative.
Dr. Luke noted that the administration has prioritized safety and security on the waterways, citing the provision of gunboats to security agencies for effective surveillance. He added that both land and water transport sub-sectors have been sanitized to ensure safe and seamless movement, particularly during the festive season.
The transport commissioner further revealed that the ministry has deployed innovative technologies to curb criminality within the sector. These measures include biometric capturing of tricycle operators, profiling of delivery dispatch riders, and mandatory branding of dispatch boxes, helmets and reflective jackets in Akwa Ibom State colours for easy identification.
He explained that all delivery dispatch riders would be issued identity cards upon completion of profiling, alongside a guarantor’s letter endorsed by a village head or a senior government official, as part of efforts to enhance accountability and security.
Looking ahead, Dr. Luke announced that the state is set for a transport renaissance in the first quarter of 2026. He disclosed that 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses would soon arrive to provide commuters with affordable and comfortable transportation, while maritime transport would receive a further boost with the expected arrival of two passenger ferry boats.
He urged residents to support the government’s efforts by reporting suspicious activities on roads and waterways to security agencies, and cautioned against one-way driving, stressing the need for collective responsibility to ensure safety during the Yuletide and beyond.
