Construction of a 64-seat passenger and cargo vessel for Akwa Ibom State, being built by the Nigerian Navy at the Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt, is 80 percent complete and set for delivery in June. The project, initiated by Governor Umo Eno as part of his plan to expand marine transportation in the state, received a site visit from a state government delegation led by the State Delivery Adviser, Hon Orman Esin, and Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien (Rtd). They were briefed by the Superintendent of the Naval Shipyard, Rear Admiral Ikenna Ubani, who confirmed that major installations on the vessel have been completed, with only minor finishing works remaining. Key upgrades include zinc anodes, structural welding corrections, reinforcement of the car deck for vehicular load, and ongoing work on the loading ramp, bridge control console, electrical wiring, navigation and communication systems, solar facilities, plumbing, and ventilation. The vessel, capable of carrying 64 passengers and seven cars, will undergo final testing in June before being commissioned for service at the Oron Marine Terminal.
The delegation also reviewed integration plans between the ferry and the ongoing development of the Oron jetty infrastructure to ensure seamless operations upon delivery. Human capacity development is progressing in parallel, with 20 individuals selected through a transparent process via the state's Arise Portal to be trained for operational roles. One of the trainees, Aniebiet Brendan, an indigene of Ekpene Ukpa in Etinan LGA, said he was interviewed alongside 200 applicants and expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for the opportunity to become a marine engineer. Rear Admiral Ubani stated that funding support has been secured to accelerate completion. A second ferry, constructed by Hydro Marine Boat Services Limited in Lagos under the same initiative, is also nearing completion for deployment at the Oron Marine Terminal.
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