By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPA-J) has called on Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to take decisive action on the construction of the Ibom Deep Seaport rather than playing politics with the project.
In a statement Sunday in Uyo it said the recent statement credited to Eno, during the celebration of International Women’s Day in Uyo, where he publicly appealed to President Bola Tinubu to fulfil a promise to deliver the Seaport was unnecessary and misleading as all approvals and licensing needed for the commencement of work on the project were granted to his predecessor Mr Udom Emmanuel.
The statement issued by the chairman of PAPA-J Dr Tom Fredfish and Secretary Mr Saviour Ukoh accused Eno of shifting responsibility to the President for a project within the operational responsibility of the state following federal approval.
“Therefore, the question that readily comes to appr is: What exactly does Governor Um pap app oe Eno want President Tinubu to do again after the Federal Government has already granted the state the to develop and operate the deep seaport?
“According to a report by The Guardian Newspaper of January 13, 2026, the Akwa Ibom State Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Interaf Group Congsortium as part of renewed efforts to advance the Ibom Deep Seaport project.
“The MoU was signed at the Government House in Uyo by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, on behalf of Governor Umo Eno.
“The agreement, as reported, provides a preliminary framework for collaboration between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the consortium on the development and eventual operation of the deep seaport and the adjoining Ibom Industrial City.
“Officials of the state government explained that the arrangement was meant to clarify roles and lay the foundation for subsequent technical and financial processes.
“If the state government has already engaged a consortium for the project, what then is preventing the administration from moving ahead to attract investors and take practical steps toward the realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport? The people of Akwa Ibom State deserve answers, not repeated political statements.” It querried.
It wondered why the governor has continuesd to raise the matter at political gatherings as if the responsibility for the project rests solely with the President.
“Governance requires initiative, planning, and execution, not public appeals that create the impression that the Federal Government is yet to act or is punishing Akwa Ibom for the sins of its past.
“It is even more curious considering that during one of his campaign engagements to become governor in 44 Eno himself reportedly stated that President Tinubu would not deliver the Ibom Deep Seaport to Akwa Ibom State when the Lekki and Badagry Deep Sea Port projec 4 or4rrngoing.
“He said emphatically, and we quote verbatim:,”don’t let anybody deceive you. Nobody, at least not the presidential candidate of the APC with due respect, will leave Lekki Deep Seaport and leave Badagry Deep Seaport and come and build Ibom Deep Sea Port. It will NOT happen!!!.” It said.
The Governor the statement said had the opportunity to meet with President Tinubu.last week and it was expected that if the matter required federal intervention, it would have been discussed directly during that meeting.
“It is therefore puzzling that the governor chose a public event celebrating women to relay such a message through the President’s wife rather than address the issue through proper governmental channels.
“The people of Akwa Ibom State are increasingly concerned about the continuous rhetoric surrounding the Ibom Deep Seaport without visible progress. What the citizens desire is not another round of political statements, but clear steps toward the actualization of the project.
“Governor Umo Eno must therefore stop playing politics with the Ibom Deep Seaport and focus on delivering the project. Akwa Ibom people are tired of hearing about the deep seaport in speeches; what they want to see is its actual development and realization.
“Ihe time has come for the governor to do less talking and more work.” It concluded.
