C'River Set To Offer Five-Star Boat Services At Marina Resort, Revamps Over 200-yr-Old Dempsey’s Anchor
By Judex OKORO
The Cross River state government says it is set to scaleup its water transportation sector by offering a five-star boat services at the Marina resort.
The Managing Director of the State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, who disclosed this in Calabar, said the government is partnering with an investor to revamp the over 200 years old Elder Dempsey’s Anchor at the resort and make it a beautiful floating jetty.
According to him, “its important for the public to know, for the purpose of clarification, that we are not constructing new jetty.
"Marina resort has always been a jetty at the water front. We have always had a jetty there as far back as the eighteenth century.
"The anchor you have there is Elder Dempster’s anchor. It was a shipping line berthing the Europeans who came to explore the Estuary of Calabar.
“We had an old jetty that was decaying and this jetty front is a historical relic. When I took over last year, as the MD, I asked myself what to do to maintain and sustain this history and then an offer came.
"So, how can anyone say that we are just introducing a jetty in Calabar even when the government of Donald Duke had met a jetty. The Elder Dempsey’s Anchor is still standing there after over 200 years."
Explaining further, he said: “What we did is to introduce a VVIP transport facility that will bring the best of best into the Marina.
"First, we connect the state to Akwa Ibom state through the river considering the constraints on the road. So, we have good intentions. The Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, gave the go ahead and today we have restored that jetty, It’s a beautiful floating jetty and the services there are not the kind of services that you can see anywhere”, he said.
On the quality of service, he further said: “Take a walk down there and you would see the waiting area that has been created there. You would not even know that there are people in that waiting area because its well air conditioned with tinted glass.
"The commuter comes through the back door into the building and then to the boat. You see the commuters and whatever they are carrying only when they are going to the boat.
"Besides, these services end at five in the evening and Marina comes alive from five till dawn. So, none of the commuters is coming through the Marina water front except when you enter the boat.
“Also note that we are not only rendering transportation alone. There is going to be a leisure boat to make a ride to Tinapa floating across the river and a ride to Akwa Ibom and back. You can do your tour, go to the NPA area."
Speaking on the company's profile, the MD said: "The Bureau have checked the profile of the company managing the place and it has the capacity. They have the best boat than their competitors.
"They build boat themselves and we are not afraid. So, people should feel safe. Marina Resort is a five-star and we are only taking care of five-star travelers.
"There would be options for travelers and if you want exclusive service, they will offer it. We trust them so come and enjoy the water front and feel safe to travel."
