Gov Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
Abia sets up committees to facilitate realization of seaport
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Abia Government says that a functional seaport in the state would stimulate greater economic activities not only in the state but in the South East region.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chris Ezem, made the observation while inaugurating two committees charged with facilitating the realization of the Abia Seaport located in Ukwa East local government area of the state.
The two committees are the Seaport Project Committee and Committee for Project Delivery.
Ezem underscored the importance of realizing a functional seaport, saying it would deepen the commercial position of the state and the entire southeast region.
The SSG explained that the seaport, when realized, would take care of the hazards experienced by importers and also increase the Internally-Generated Revenue of the state. He assured the committees of government’s support to enable them to deliver.
According to the SSG the terms of reference of the six-man Committee for Project Delivery include liaising with the investor to ensure pursuit of the necessary approvals and permissions from relevant Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); ensuring that the investor complies with the contents of the agreement between it and the State government and liaising with the project steering committee as the need arises, among others.
Also, the Seaport Project Committee, according to the SSG, is charged with providing the state government with all technical and professional advice to facilitate speedy realization of the project; ensure compliance of the relevant MDAs in the state to the stipulated logistics /necessary enabling environment for the investor and to advise them on any other measure to be taken to facilitate the project, among others.
Ezem charged the two committees to discharge their assignments diligently.
Responding on behalf of the other members, the chairmen of the Committees, Elder Godwin Nna and Mrs. Ijeoma Okere, thanked Ikpeazu for finding them worthy for the assignment, assuring that they will do their best to ensure that the project was realized .
The Seaport Project Committee has the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs. Okere Ijeoma Clara, as Chairman, with Mr. Chinedu Nwogu as Secretary.
Other members include the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Mr Okey Ihedioha, his counterpart in the Ministry of Lands, Mr Aaron Ikechi, Mr Emma Ezeala and Mr Francis Ejim.
Members of the six-man Committee for Project Delivery has a former Commissioner for Lands, Elder Godwin Nna, as chairman, while Mr Uche Uwakwe is the Secretary; Mr. Kingsley Nwaobilor, Chief Samuel Okafor, Mr Eric Egege and Akwandu Ogunmo.
