Inter-Mamlakah Proposes Private Seaport, Railway, Over 27 Companies In A’Ibom
… Awaits AKSG Approval For C-of-O
By UbongAbasi Ise
Akwa Ibom State may soon have another site for a seaport project besides Ibom Deep Seaport as a privately-owned company, Inter-Mamlakah Destination Limited, concludes plans to kick-start the construction of a new port, from which a railway would be connected to Hinterland Port at Gudu, Nasarawa State.
Speaking with our correspondent shortly after the major shareholders’ meeting at Ikot Abasi on Wednesday 1st September, 2021, President and Founder of the company, Dr. Emmanuel Udontuk, revealed that about 118 hectares of land has been mapped out with the letter of consent obtained from the host community in Mkpat Enin local government area of the state. The retired Nigerian Customs Service officer said what really delays the kickoff of the project is a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) which is yet to be issued to them by the state government.
Udontuk, who was confirmed live President and Founder of the conglomerate, said the company does not need free land from the government, saying they are ready to pay for the land based on government’s spelt out conditions.
In addition to a request for land approval, he stated the need for the government to provide security as the foreign partners are expected to be on ground for the execution of the project.
“We can’t do without the assistance of the government. What we need from them is approval for land and provision of security because we are bringing in foreign partners: we have Chinese partners; we also have others from Australia, America and Ukraine. So if the government gives us land, and provides us with security, we are okay,” he said.
Dr. Emmanuel Udontuk lamented that the company’s management had made concerted effort along with their foreign partners to meet the governor but all effort appear to be in futility.
To get the approval for the commencement of the project, Dr. Udontuk said the company’s management has so far approached appropriate federal and state government’s ministries, departments and agencies in the likes of Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council, AKIIPOC; Ministry of Lands; Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment; EFCC’s Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML; Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC; Ministry of Transport amongst others.
Surv. Kanis Sampson, the company’s chairman for Quantity Surveys/Estates, said the harbour would contain 30 ships with 5 meters interval, adding that a proposed location at Ibioete in Mkpat Enin local government area is mapped for town farms containing about 12 companies.
He further hinted that the license for the seaport project would soon be available as the current Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has assessed their proposal and capacity.
While describing the location of the project as the best, Sampson stated that the site would be transformed to a hub, with employment available for 5,000 to 10,000 workers at a start.
Also speaking, the company’s executive director for finance, Dr. George Duru, who is the former Intercontinental Bank Zonal Manager at Port Harcourt, told our correspondent that the seaport would be linked to a railway system that would go to Gudu. According to him, “What we are trying to do is to ensure that our brothers in the north can import through our seaport. Once the goods are cleared at the port, it could now be put on the rail. From the rail, it gets to Abuja.”
Duru further said that there are up to 28 companies to be embedded in Inter-Mamlakah Destination Ltd which would spring up several employment opportunities for the people of the Niger Delta saying “We want to make another city out of this area.”
Furthermore, the company’s chairman for Surveys and Dredging, Surv. Etuk William Udofia, who also spoke with our correspondent, said the depth of the water at the proposed site is about 12 to 15 metres which could carry various sizes of the vessels, noting that almost all the registration and regularization requirements have been achieved for the take-off of the project except the issuance of the C-of-O by the state government, adding that “If we have the C-of-O, all others are a day’s job.”
Another prominent shareholder of the company who interacted with our correspondent was Dr. Inya Egbe, who said the objectives of Inter-Mamlakah Destination Limited are in tandem with his vision he had since1976, saying the Akwa-Cross region lies in the position to serve as blessing to entire Nigeria.
He further expressed satisfaction for the appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Udontuk as the live President and Founder of the company, describing him as a man of vision who has a wealth of experience.
Mrs. Sarah Udontuk, the wife of the company’s president, told our correspondent that based on her husband’s zeal and the contacts he makes on a regular basis, she believes every plan would work out perfectly. While expressing delight for Dr. Udontuk’s appointment, she said it is the concern of every woman to see her husband succeed and be at the top.
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