By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced that its Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project has reached 85 per cent completion, with the facility expected to boost water transportation, stimulate coastal trade, support local fishermen and promote tourism when fully operational.
The Honorary Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Transport, Hon. Oman Esin, disclosed this on Friday during a ministerial press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information at Government House, Uyo, to present the achievements and ongoing projects of ministries, departments and agencies of the state government.
Esin said the project was conceived to reposition Oron as a strategic maritime hub, connecting Akwa Ibom with neighbouring Cross River State through ferry services while creating new opportunities for commercial activities and tourism along the coastal corridor.
According to him, the project combines passenger and cargo transportation infrastructure with facilities for fish processing, storage, recreation, security and hospitality, making it a broader economic development initiative beyond a conventional ferry terminal.
The facilities include a marine terminal building, passenger and cargo jetty, warehouse, cold rooms, fish-smoking centre, workshop, maintenance area, car park, recreational facilities, floating bar, hotel development, Joint Task Force (JTF) jetty and two ferries.
Esin also disclosed that Governor Eno had directed the renovation of an existing museum in collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to strengthen the tourism component of the project.
Shore protection completed, terminal nears finish:
Providing details of the construction progress, Esin said the 525-metre shore protection line had been completed, while the marine terminal building had reached approximately 87 per cent completion.
He added that air-conditioning units had been installed in the terminal building and its railings completed, while concrete works covering the terminal, workshop, maintenance area, warehouse, cold rooms and general car park had been completed across the five-hectare project site.
The remaining tasks include completing and integrating the various components to ensure that the maritime complex operates as a coordinated transport and commercial facility.
Esin said the terminal had been designed to provide passengers with an airport-like experience, with a dedicated walkway linking the building directly to the ferry boarding area for convenient movement between the terminal and vessels.
“When it comes to marine terminal buildings in Nigeria, this is going to be the very best,” he said, describing the facility as a modern terminal intended to improve passenger handling and boarding.
Ferries to carry passengers, vehicles to Calabar:
A major attraction of the project is the planned introduction of ferry services between Oron and Calabar, offering an alternative means of transportation between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Esin disclosed that the fleet would include a 24-metre steel ferry being constructed in Port Harcourt and an 18-metre aluminium passenger ferry.
The steel vessel, he said, would be named *MV Allison*, while subsequent vessels were expected to bear the names *MV Unoma*, *MV Mather* and *MV Patience*.
He explained that the 24-metre ferry was designed to transport vehicles, allowing motorists to drive their cars onto the vessel and cross the waterways to Calabar without having to complete the entire journey by road.
To facilitate the service, the government is constructing a 7.5-metre-wide driveway leading directly to the ferry’s loading bay.
“If you come in and want to take your car to Calabar, and you don’t want to drive straight to Calabar, you can just come here, drive your car into the ferry, and it takes you to Calabar,” Esin said.
The proposed service is expected to improve travel options for commuters, traders and other users of the Oron–Calabar corridor. However, its actual impact on travel time, costs and connectivity will depend on the completion and commissioning of the facilities, as well as the frequency and operational arrangements of the ferry service.
Fishermen, businesses to benefit:
Beyond passenger transportation, the project incorporates facilities designed to support fishing activities, improve the preservation of seafood and expand market opportunities for local producers.
Esin said an additional cold room was being introduced to complement the two already planned, while a fish-smoking centre would provide fishermen with improved facilities for processing and preserving their catches.
The facilities are expected to help reduce post-harvest losses and improve the handling of fish products, potentially enabling fishermen to store their produce for longer periods and supply wider markets.
The planned warehouse and cargo facilities are also expected to support the movement and storage of goods, creating opportunities for traders and businesses operating within the coastal economy.
In addition, the floating bar, recreational area, proposed hotel development and renovated museum are intended to attract visitors and diversify the economic activities that the maritime complex can support.
Security infrastructure incorporated:
The project also includes security infrastructure intended to strengthen the monitoring of maritime activities along the coastal corridor.
Esin said a dedicated jetty for the Joint Task Force, alongside a holding room, would support security operations and improve the monitoring of waterways linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The security component is expected to become increasingly important as passenger movement, cargo transportation and other commercial activities expand along the corridor.
Esin reaffirmed Governor Eno’s commitment to infrastructure development, noting that investments in water transportation, tourism and maritime commerce were part of the administration’s broader efforts to unlock the economic potential of the state’s coastal resources.
With the shore protection works completed, concrete works finished and the terminal building nearing completion, the Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project is approaching a critical stage ahead of its eventual commissioning.
When fully operational, the facility is expected to strengthen connectivity between Akwa Ibom and Cross River, support fishing and trading activities, promote tourism and create new opportunities for businesses along the state’s coastal communities.
