The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has faulted President Bola Tinubu over his latest pronouncement on the Ibom Deep Sea Port, alleging that the proposed facility is being used to attract votes rather than advance development in Akwa Ibom State.
The party argued that there was no justification for presenting the project as a fresh Federal Government approval when the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had reportedly secured approval for its first phase in 2020.
It further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of repeatedly making commitments on the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure during political campaigns in the state without ensuring its execution.
Tinubu made the announcement on Friday at a gathering organised to welcome him at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
His visit to Akwa Ibom was primarily for the inauguration of development projects undertaken by Governor Umo Eno. During the occasion, the governor sought federal assistance towards bringing the deep seaport initiative to fruition.
In its reaction, the NDC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, demanded clarification from the Federal Government, arguing that the Federal Executive Council had already endorsed the project in December 2020.
The opposition group cited the December 16, 2020, FEC meeting, where the Buhari government reportedly gave the go-ahead for the initial stage of the $4.6bn development. Bollore/Power China was subsequently identified as the preferred bidder for the contract.
It said the decision was expected to trigger the building process, but the project had yet to materialise.
The party also brought up Tinubu’s campaign appearance in Uyo on January 30, 2023, when he contested the presidency under the APC and pledged to ensure the establishment of the port.
Director said, “What a hocus-pocus, what hogwash, and what barefaced lies and shenanigans of a rudderless party! How many times will the APC approve the Ibom Deep Sea Port?”
The NDC interpreted the President’s Friday declaration as a calculated move to court electoral backing in the state ahead of the 2027 polls. It also questioned whether the latest commitment would translate into actual development.
“Obviously, this is another round of cheap promises that will not be kept or honoured. Just as before, so it will be now — empty promises. All talk and no action.
“As Nigerians are still waiting for the APC and President Tinubu to give us uninterrupted electricity supply, so Akwa Ibomites are waiting endlessly for the promised deep sea port that has become a campaign tool of deceit,” the statement said.
