- Inauguration of Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project –
Oron is back to business stage – Gov Eno
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Wednesday, 12 March, 2025, assured that he was committed to restoring the lost glory of the coastal town of Oron as a thriving business hub.
Eno stated this while kickstarting Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project, reminiscing gone by days when the Oron-Calabar waterway was a beehive of economic activities.
“Today”, Enọ began, “the story is about to change. We can say emphatically that with the launching of the maritime infrastructure which we are gathered here to perform, that Oron is back!”
Enọ, who recalled when that area served as a tourism cynosure and maritime fulcrum of the State, added, “With the flag-off of this project which includes, shore protection, constructing of a terminal building, warehouses with cold rooms, the construction of cargo, passenger and joint task force jetties, the recreational garden at the beach-front, the improvements and facelift of Oron Museum as well as the commercial park, the bright lights of Oron are aligning back.”
Also in the package of the project, Enọ disclosed, are the restoration of “inter-state passenger transportation between Calabar, Cross River and our State, which was one of the defining features of this town, with two passenger ferries.”
“The sum total of what we are witnessing here today, is the turning around of the economic fortunes of the people of Oro, which is in line with my campaign promises,” the governor enthused.
Enọ added that he was committed to inclusive governance and drew the attention of the audience to what his government was doing in the area.
“Work is ongoing on the 14.5km Nsit Atai-Okopedi Road, and the 11km Okopedi-Uya Oro Road, the Unyenge Road that leads to the Ibom Deep Seaport, Effiong Essang and the 2.9 kilometer Secretariat Road in Urue Offong LGA, which was commissioned last year. With your support, we will do more”, the governor said.
Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi commended the Governor for willing to develop Ọrọ nation.
On his part, the Chairman of Oron Local Government Council, Mr. Okon Enweme, appreciated Eno for fulfilling his campaign promise to his people, and expressed the hope that the project, when completed, will create jobs and stimulate the economy of the area.
Sharing the features of the project, Commissioner of Works and Fire Service Eno Ibanga said it will have shore protection, construction of a terminal building, warehouses, cargo, passenger and joint task force jetties, among others.
Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard, Rear Admiral Etop Ebe, also thumbed up Eno’s development initiatives and assured of the Navy’s commitment to completing their own part of the project in time.
