Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade has assured private
investors that the proposed Calabar Deep Seaport would be ready for use
in 18 months.
Governor Ayade gave the assurance yesterday on the occasion of the official
commissioning of the 40 million litres capacity tank farm, FYNFIELD
Petroleum, at the Calabar Free Trade Zone.
He said his administration is desirous of creating a conducive environment
for private sector to operate.
The governor disclosed that the state’s signature projects, “the dual
carriage super highway and Calabar Deep Seaport were earmarked to provide
a safety pad for the private sector to strive.”
Ayade who thanked the Managing Director of FNYEFIELD PETROLEUM, Mr Gabriel
Ogbechie, for choosing Calabar to do business, explained that “the essence
of the proposed supper highway from Calabar to Obudu was to enhance the
efficient evacuation of petroleum products from the proposed deep seaport
to to South East, North East, Niger Republic and Chad.”
He further disclosed that the state government, in partnership with a
private sector will set up a special task force to undertake the dredging
of the Calabar channel
According to him, “We have to do business because gone are the days
government thought business was for the private sector.”
Ayade who ssured the company of peace and opportunity, urged the FynefIeld
MD to expand its capacity to over 50 million litres in view of the
expected dual carriage super highway and deep seaport.
On the company’s request for the expansion of the number of jetties to
serve the 25 tank farms, Ayade explained that “work on the special port
which will be completed in 18 months thereby easing the hardship
encountered by those involved in the lifting of petroleum products would
soon commence.
He described Ogbechie as a man with capacity and commitment, stamina and
intellect, adding: “When you are determined, you will succeed and that
tells the story.”
Governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who commended Ayade for his vision
and mission for Cross River, described him as ” one governor with a
difference who brings business into governance and with this, there is a
great hope for the state and Nigeria.”
The Managing Director, disclosed that the company which commenced business
in 1999,with just one filling station, now has 35 stations spread across
the country, 80trucks and six ships involved in the importation of
petroleum products.
Ogbechie put the cost of the tank farm a little above three billion naira
with 50 direct employees from the state and 100s indirect staff.
He described Calabar as a wonderful location with a peaceful people.
Other dignitaries on the occasion were Senator John Owan Enoh, Prince
Goddy Jeddy Agba , former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr.
Emmanuel Ebeshi, among
others.