The Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) has offered to partner with the Akwa Ibom State government in the realisation of the Ibaka Deep Seaport project.

The new Managing Director of the Company in Nigeria, Mr. Shi Hong Bing, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, over the weekend.

Mr. Bing said the company was involved in similar projects in other parts of Africa and pledged their readiness to deploy their resources to make the Ibaka project a reality.

He said having visited all the states in Nigeria he could confirm that Akwa Ibom has the best infrastructural facilities. He urged Governor Akpabio to keep up the good work.

Responding, Governor Akpabio thanked the Chinese firm for their interest and said it would be fantastic to collaborate with them in the construction of the Ibaka Deep Seaport and disclosed that the committee on the project which was on a road show would meet with them to work out the modalities of the involvement in the project.

Chief Akpabio described Akwa Ibom State as “work in progress,” commending the company for the quality of work they had done in Akwa Ibom State. His words: “CCECC and the government of Akwa Ibom State under my leadership have been good partners.And it is a partnership that has produced results.

“The first road contract that was awarded to your company was delivered in time complete with the best street lights and drainages in the country. And recently we signed a contract for the dualisation of Etinan-Eket Road and more jobs are coming.

“It is not a function of lobbying for the job but that of quality, good pricing and record time delivery.We look forward to continuous partnership.”

The governor reiterated that the Ibaka Deep Seaport would promote commerce in Nigeria and compliment the port in Lagos and serves as a major transshipment point for the West African coast. He said the project would also offer employment opportunities to thousands of Nigerians.

•Photo (L-R) shows Governor Akpabio receiving the new MD of Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), Mr. Shi Hong Bing, during a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.