Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has approved the immediate commencement of a feasibility study for the proposed Azumini–Obeaku Sea Port and Inland Waterways Corridor Project in Abia State.
Governor Otti granted the approval on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited led by Mr. Nicolas Liu at the Government House, Umuahia.
The Governor directed the company to begin the feasibility study without delay and urged that the proposed timeline of six to seven months be shortened to accelerate the process.
“Somehow, deep in my mind, I know that this is the approach. It is good to understand the details and all what is required.
“So, I think you can take it that approval has been given for the feasibility study to commence.
“But then, you still need to come back, how do you say, 6 to 7 months? That’s a long time. And if we can shorten it, that will help,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor further directed that while the feasibility study is ongoing, steps should immediately commence toward securing approvals from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Federal Ministry of Blue Economy, and the Presidency.
“We need to start the process of getting the approval of the NPA and of course, the Ministry of Blue Economy. And of course, the President.
“So, I think we need to start the process immediately, hoping that the feasibility study will return positive. Because you may also conduct the feasibility study and say that it is not viable,” he added.
Governor Otti also advised the company to undertake an early visit to the proposed project site before the formal commencement of the study, noting that the location is believed to be about 19 nautical miles from the high sea.
“Maybe, when you visit, you can come up with the specifics. So, if it is about 19 nautical miles, the question of viability will now come to play because what it requires will now be dredging.
“And dredging increases the cost. So then, I’m not a technical person, but at least, I have an idea of what I want to achieve,” the Governor noted.
The Governor thanked the team for the presentation and expressed optimism that the project would become a reality if properly pursued.
Earlier in his presentation, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Nicolas Liu, said China Harbour Engineering Company Limited was seeking partnership with the Abia State Government to actualize the proposed sea port project.
Mr. Liu stated that the company has extensive experience in Nigerian infrastructure projects, including roads and the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which he described as the company’s flagship project in Nigeria.
According to him, four critical factors determine the success of such projects, namely government commitment, funding arrangements, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) structure, and phased development.
He stressed the importance of conducting a feasibility study and made several recommendations to guide the successful execution of the project.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Strategy Officer of the Government, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, alongside other commissioners and senior government appointees.
