NDDC Inaugurates Abitto Ferry Service In Calabar, Promises Support For Marine Transportation
By Judex OKORO
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has inaugurated Abitto Ferry Service and unveiled a luxury maritime safety boat promising to partner with the private sector in developing marine transportation across the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku, who disclosed this during the inauguration of Abitto Ferry Service and unveiling of a luxury maritime safety boat at Marina Resort in Calabar, Saturday, said M boat service will ferry passengers from the Marina Resort in Calabar to the Nwaniba Timber Beach in Uyo.
The Managing Director commended the initiative, saying all across the region there are communities yet to be connected by road and this service will fill that gap.
He said: "We thank the management of Abitto Global Services for reconnecting us back to our natural means of transportation.
"What you have done will make people appreciate the level of underdevelopment and what has been achieved so far.
"All across the Niger Delta we have places yet to be connected by road and this service will fill that gap.
"We will partner with you to see how we can extend this service to other communities within the Niger Delta ", he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the Senator representing Cross River South at the National Assembly, Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the ferry services will reduce the travel time from Calabar to Uyo to 30 minutes.
He promised Senate support for the group whenever the need arises.
"As you may know, with this, you are creating jobs and promoting commerce.
"Because of high depreciation on our roads, it's only natural we return to natural means of transportation which is water," he said.
On his part, Chief Timi Alaibe, the former managing director of the NDDC, said: "I am excited to witness the birth of the ferry service. History has been made as the service will save travel time, create jobs and encourage the reduction of carbon emission."
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, welcomed the investment in the marine transportation sector.
He commended the state Governor for creating a conducive atmosphere for development partners to come in.
In his speech, the chairman of Abitto Global services, Mr Richard Akinaka, said the idea was to provide and reduce the travel time between Calabar and Uyo, especially against the background of the bad state of Calabar-Itu road.
He also said the need to provide comfortable means of transportation and create employment opportunities was what gave birth to Abitto ferry services.
"I am proud to announce that about 90 percent of the entire infrastructure, including the boats were built by us, Abitto Global Services here in Calabar," he stated
