Orok Hails Otu Over Federal Approval of Bakassi Deep Sea Port
By Ekanem ASUQUO
Former Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Oliver Orok, has applauded Governor Bassey Otu for what he described as effective leadership and sustained engagement with the Federal Government that culminated in federal backing for the Bakassi Deep Sea Port project.
Orok made the remarks while reacting to the recent approval of major Public Private Partnership projects by the Federal Executive Council, which include the Bakassi Deep Sea Port. He described the approval as a significant boost for Cross River State and the South South region.
He said the decision to include the Bakassi project among nationally endorsed PPP initiatives underscores the Otu administration’s commitment to repositioning the state as a strategic maritime and economic destination.
According to him, the governor’s proactive approach, alignment with national development policies and consistent push for critical infrastructure have ensured that Bakassi remains firmly on the Federal Government’s development agenda.
“The Bakassi Deep Sea Port has been proposed for years, but it has taken decisive leadership and political will to move it to this advanced stage. Governor Bassey Otu deserves credit for ensuring that Cross River State is part of the Federal Government’s infrastructure expansion drive,” Orok said.
He noted that the project has the capacity to stimulate economic diversification, create employment opportunities and drive industrial growth, particularly in Bakassi and other coastal communities.
Orok expressed confidence that the deep sea port would enhance maritime trade, attract foreign and local investment and complement existing facilities such as the Calabar Port and proposed industrial clusters in the state.
The former commissioner, who also served as Commissioner for Sustainable Development and Social Welfare in the previous administration, called on stakeholders and residents to support the Otu administration to guarantee smooth implementation of the project. He stressed that the Bakassi Deep Sea Port could become a key driver of long term economic transformation in Cross River State.
Recall that the Federal Executive Council recently approved three major Public Private Partnership projects valued at over N6.43 trillion as part of efforts to attract private investment into critical infrastructure.
The projects include two deep seaports and a 460 megawatt hydropower plant and represent the second batch of PPP initiatives approved within one month under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Mr Jobson Ewalefoh, said the approvals show that ongoing economic reforms are yielding positive outcomes. He said the projects would inject over 4.29 billion dollars in private capital into the economy and promote growth, competitiveness and job creation through private sector led infrastructure development.
The approved projects are the 2.27 billion dollar Bakassi Deep Sea Port, the 1.14 billion dollar Port of Ondo Deep Sea Port and the 878.1 million dollar Katsina Ala Hydropower Plant. All three are to be financed, developed and operated by private investors under the supervision of the ICRC.
Ewalefoh said the Bakassi Deep Sea Port will serve as a new maritime gateway for the North Central and North East regions and help position Nigeria as a major hub for West and Central African trade. He added that the Port of Ondo Deep Sea Port will create fresh logistics and export opportunities in the South West.
On the power project, he said the Katsina Ala Hydropower Plant will contribute to addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges while expanding renewable energy capacity.
With these approvals, the number of PPP projects cleared in 2025 has risen to more than 13 across sectors such as maritime, aviation, power, health and industry, as Nigeria continues to rely on private sector participation to address its infrastructure needs.
