RismadarVoice Reporters
May 8, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Government has expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the construction of a 64-seat passenger and cargo ferry being built by the Nigerian Navy at the Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt, assuring that the vessel will be ready for operations in June.
The project, initiated by Governor Umo Eno as part of efforts to revive marine transportation and strengthen the state’s blue economy, is currently about 80 per cent completed.
Leading an unscheduled inspection visit to the shipyard, the State Delivery Adviser on the project, Hon. Orman Esin, said the state government was encouraged by assurances from the Nigerian Navy that the ferry would be completed on schedule.
Esin was accompanied by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen. Koko Essien (Rtd); the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Multimedia and Web Management, Engr. Solomon Eyo; and the Director of Marine Services in the Ministry of Transport, Mr Ekerete Edo.
The inspection formed part of the government’s technical and administrative oversight measures aimed at ensuring the timely delivery and operational readiness of the vessel.
Conducting the delegation round the facility, the Superintendent of the Naval Shipyard, Rear Admiral Ikenna Ubani, confirmed that adequate funding had been secured to accelerate the completion process.
Ubani expressed confidence that the ferry would be ready for test runs in June, noting that major installations had already been completed while only minor finishing works remained.
“Before the end of June, the vessel will undergo final checks before sailing down to Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
Technical briefings presented during the visit showed significant progress on critical aspects of the vessel, including the installation of zinc anodes, reinforcement of the car deck to accommodate vehicular loads, and correction of structural weldings.
Other ongoing works include the construction of the loading ramp, installation of the bridge control console, electrical wiring, navigation and communication systems, solar facilities, plumbing, and ventilation systems.
The delegation also reviewed plans for integrating the ferry with the Oron jetty infrastructure currently under development to ensure seamless deployment upon delivery.
Beyond infrastructure development, the project is also expected to enhance local manpower capacity in the maritime sector.
One of the beneficiaries of the state’s marine training initiative, Mr Aniebiet Brendan, an indigene of Ekpene Ukpa in Etinan Local Government Area, commended the transparent recruitment process that selected 20 trainees for specialised marine training in Port Harcourt.
Brendan disclosed that over 200 applicants participated in the selection process through the state’s ARISE Portal and thanked Governor Umo Eno for the opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a marine engineer.
The ferry, expected to operate from the Oron Marine Terminal, will carry up to 64 passengers and seven vehicles, providing a strategic boost to transportation, tourism, and economic activities across the state’s coastal communities.
Meanwhile, a second ferry being constructed in Lagos by Hydromarine Boat Services Limited at the instance of the Akwa Ibom State Government is also nearing completion and is expected to complement operations at the Oron Marine Terminal.
