Oron Nation Defends Position On Deep Seaport, Raises Questions Over Site Selection Process
Renewed Controversy Over Ibom Deep Seaport Project
THE long-running debate surrounding the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport has resurfaced following comments by Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno urging stakeholders in Oron Nation to support the project and move beyond lingering disagreements over its location.
However, the appeal has drawn a detailed response from engineering expert and former Chairman of the Oron Nation Advisory Committee on the Ibaka Deep Seaport, Engr. Nkpubre Nkpubre, who argues that the central issue has never been opposition to development but concerns over what many in Oron regard as the controversial relocation of the project from its originally proposed site at Ibaka Bay.
The intervention has once again brought to the forefront a dispute that has shaped discussions about maritime development, regional equity and infrastructure planning in Akwa Ibom State for more than a decade.
Oron Nation Rejects Claims of Opposition to Development
According to Nkpubre, the position of Oron Nation has often been misunderstood or misrepresented in public discourse.
He maintained that community leaders never opposed the development of a deep seaport in Akwa Ibom State and did not object to the project’s rebranding from Ibaka Deep Seaport to Ibom Deep Seaport.
Instead, he said opposition emerged when authorities proposed relocating the facility from Ibaka Bay to a site in Ibeno and introducing a dugout port concept that would require extensive excavation of land to create an artificial harbour.
Nkpubre argued that residents viewed the proposal as environmentally risky and economically questionable, particularly because of concerns about the disposal of millions of cubic metres of excavated material.
The engineer noted that community leaders repeatedly sought dialogue with government officials to discuss these concerns but believed their grievances received inadequate attention.
Questions Over Site Selection
At the heart of the controversy is the process used to determine the preferred location for the seaport.
Supporters of the original Ibaka Bay location point to earlier feasibility studies conducted under the supervision of federal authorities and technical consultants, which reportedly identified the area as the most suitable site based on navigational, engineering and economic considerations.
Nkpubre recalled that federal studies undertaken as part of the project development process selected a location within Ibaka Bay after extensive assessments.
He argued that subsequent decisions to favour another location relied on evaluation methods that remain disputed among some stakeholders.
The controversy reflects broader questions often associated with major infrastructure projects in Nigeria, where technical assessments, political considerations and local interests frequently intersect.
Economic Promise and Lost Opportunities
Advocates of the original proposal continue to emphasise the economic potential associated with the deep seaport project.
According to Nkpubre, earlier plans envisaged not only a deep seaport but also a mega shipyard capable of supporting the maintenance and integration of Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) and large tankers operating across West and Central Africa.
Such a facility, he argued, could have positioned Akwa Ibom as a major maritime hub while generating employment, industrial growth and investment opportunities.
Industry analysts have long maintained that deep seaport projects can significantly enhance trade competitiveness, logistics efficiency and regional economic integration when properly implemented.
Balancing Development and Community Confidence
The renewed debate underscores the challenge of balancing large-scale development ambitions with community acceptance and stakeholder engagement.
While the Akwa Ibom State Government continues to promote the Ibom Deep Seaport as a strategic project capable of transforming the state’s economy, some voices within Oron Nation insist that unresolved concerns deserve further examination.
Observers note that successful execution of major infrastructure projects often depends not only on technical feasibility but also on public trust, transparency and inclusive consultation.
As discussions continue, stakeholders across the state are increasingly calling for constructive engagement that prioritises facts, addresses historical grievances and focuses on delivering long-term economic benefits to all communities.
A Test of Development Politics
Beyond the immediate dispute, the Ibom Deep Seaport controversy reflects wider national conversations about governance, resource allocation and infrastructure planning.
For many observers, the debate represents a test of how governments manage competing interests while pursuing transformational projects.
Whether through renewed consultations, independent reviews or broader stakeholder dialogue, the challenge remains finding a path that balances development goals with community confidence and regional inclusion.
