Chairman of the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration in Akwa Ibom, Engr. Asuquo Inuikim Obon, has called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to move beyond policy declarations and turn its maritime projects into jobs, businesses and opportunities for the people.
Chief Inuikim made the call on Thursday, 24th September, while delivering his opening remarks at the World Maritime Day celebration organised by the Energy and Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (EMR), Akwa Ibom State Branch, at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo.
Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking Akwa Ibom’s Maritime and Blue Economy Potential Through Effective Policy Implementation, Local Content Participation and Strategic Partnerships,” Asuquo Inuikim said the state had enormous maritime assets but needed to translate them into tangible economic benefits.
He identified the Ibaka Deep Seaport, Oron Maritime Infrastructure Project, Ibom Fish City and Ibom Solutions Hub Industrial Park as key projects that must move from plans and preparations to measurable implementation.
“These are important steps, but they raise the fundamental question: When does preparation become implementation?” Inuikim asked, stressing that the Ibaka Deep Seaport, in particular, requires clear milestones, timelines, financing arrangements and defined institutional responsibilities.
He said the success of the projects should not be judged by announcements or structures alone, but by the jobs created, businesses established, investments attracted, improved transportation and increased participation of Akwa Ibom people in maritime value chains.
“The real challenge is converting these potentials into productive assets, functioning institutions, jobs, businesses, revenue, safer waterways and measurable improvements in the lives of coastal communities,” he said.
The Chairman also called for greater local content, urging that indigenes be deliberately positioned as engineers, seafarers, technicians, fabricators, logistics providers, suppliers and maritime entrepreneurs.
He further urged the government to work with relevant federal authorities to urgently operationalise the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, saying maritime infrastructure without skilled manpower would leave the state dependent on external expertise.
Inuikim charged the media to track the implementation of maritime projects and hold stakeholders accountable, stressing that reporting delays and unfulfilled promises was not opposition but “responsible journalism.”
He said the ultimate test of Akwa Ibom’s maritime development was simple: “Let us move beyond asking what Akwa Ibom possesses and begin asking what Akwa Ibom is actually producing from what it possesses.”
He called for stronger collaboration among government, investors, host communities, maritime agencies, financial institutions, training institutions and the media to ensure that the state’s maritime potential translates into inclusive economic development.
Also speaking was the keynote speaker, Dr Idorenying Atung, who took time to enumerate the huge maritime potentialities divinely deposited in Akwa Ibom State.
Dr Atung called on the state government to urgently create a ministry in charge of Marine and Blue Economy to effectively regulate maritime activities within the coastline of the state so as to improve of the economic life of the citizens.
The event was hosted by the Energy and Maritime Reporters (EMR) of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State chapter to celebrate the World Maritime Day and to acknowledge the contributions of seafarers to global economic development.
