Hydrographic, Geophysical, Geotechnical Survey for Bakassi Deep Seaport take-off in Cross River
By: Edem Archibong, Calabar.
The long-anticipated dream of constructing Bakassi Deep Seaport and a Super Highway corridor by the immediate past Governor Ben Ayade has now been re-activated by Governor Bassey Edet Otu with a kick-off survey commencing from NNS Victory Base waterway in Calabar.
The second round of the project will take place at Parrot/ Tomshot Island under the Cross River waterway territories of the high sea.
Governor Otu performed the ceremony in the presence of the Chief of Naval Staff representative, Rear Admiral Saheed Adeshina Akinwade, and the Federation’s Hydrographer and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbade which is the Federal Government of Nigeria Agency responsible for the survey to help determine the soil composition, water depth and other Geotechnical parameters required for the construction of the port, and its structural integrity and functionality.
Senator Prince Otu declared that the “watershed event marks a major milestone in the economic and social landscape of Cross River State and depicts the importance his administration places on the revitalization agenda”.
He further explains that “this flag-off of the hydrographic, Geophysical and geotechnical survey for the Bakassi Deep Seaport signals a pivotal moment for Cross River State and a step forward in the march towards the actualization of the dream project while expressing gratitude to the Nigerian Navy, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Federation’s Chief Hydrographer/CEO of the National Hydrographic Agency, the AFREXIMBANK, ARISE-IIP, and a host of others for the trust and partnership to deliver the task at hand and bring the dream to reality”, he added.
In his Goodwill remarks by the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, represented by Rear Admiral Saheed Adeshina Akinwade, averred that the survey exercise, which will take four months, is a very ambitious and transformative project, has all the potential to reshape the entire region including the Gulf Of Guinea.
He used the opportunity to express gratitude to the governor for his vision and unweaving commitment to creating favorable economic opportunities for the people of the state.
Speaking early is the Federation’s Hydrographer and Chief CEO of the National Hydrographic Agency, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode explained that the Geophysical and geotechnical survey for the Bakassi Deep Seaport project has officially taken not just for Cross River State alone but it is meant to serve the entire Nation of Nigeria,
He also explained that the Bakassi Deep Seaport project is a bold and determined step towards unlocking the immense potential of our maritime domain for socio-economic development.
In his brief comments, the Surveyor General of the state, Mr. Patrick Bassey, and the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor On International Cooperation and Investments, Reverend Victor Edet, both Commended the present administration’s commitment to bring the Bakassi Deep Seaport project to fruition.
