NDDC partners private sector to boost marine transportation in Niger Delta
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has offered to partner the private sector in developing marine transportation across the Niger Delta region.
He disclosed this at the Marina Resort in Calabar on Saturday during the grand launching of Abitto Ferry Service and unveiling of a luxury maritime safety boat.
The boat service will ferry passengers from the Marina Resort in Calabar to the Nwaniba Timber Beach in Uyo.
The Managing Director welcomed the initiative, saying all across the region there are communities yet to be connected by road and this service will fill that gap.
“Thank you very much for reconnecting us back to our natural means of transportation.
“What you have done will make people appreciate the level of underdevelopment and what has been achieved so far.
“All across the Niger Delta we have places yet to be connected by road and this service will fill that gap.
“We will partner with you to see how we can extend this service to other communities within the Niger Delta “, he said.
Also speaking, Chief Timi Alaibe, a former managing director of the NDDC, said he is excited to witness the birth of the ferry service.
He said history has been made as the service will save travel time, create jobs and encourage the reduction of carbon emission.
On his part, the Chief Executive officer of Abitto Global Services, said the beauty of the service is that it is from the heart of one state to another, from one capital city to another capital city.
He added that they have fully air-conditioned terminals at both ends with purpose built comfortable boats and jetties to make the service function optimally for comfort and safety.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Ojoi Ekpenyong welcomed the investment in the marine transportation sector.
He thanked the state Governor for creating a conducive atmosphere for development partners to come in.
The Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong formally flagged off the boat service.