The Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Akan Okon, was reacting to allegations from a section of Oron people that the project was relocated from Ibaka Bay due to a reported gang-up against the ethnic group. xOkon said government could not afford to play ethnic card with such a gigantic project, considering its economic importance to the people of the state and Nigerians. The site was eventually chosen after studies based on viability and accessibility. So, there can’t be any sentiment to this.”Noting that while the site was about 20 nautical miles from the Deep Sea Trade Route, the commissioner stated that the competitors could take up to 75 nautical miles to access the path. Okon continued: “Just like you have in Lagos, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is in Lagos Island, while the port itself is in Apapa.

Source: The Guardian April 23, 2021 04:30 UTC