ADVANCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARITIME TRANSPORTATION IN AKWA-IBOM STATE, 1987-2023

Abstract

In the 17 century, the present-day Akwa-Ibom and the littorals of Cross-River States received the first batch of European traders in Nigeria. The area had such companies as the United Africa Company (UAC), John Holt, CampagnieFranchaise de L'OuestAfricaine (CFAO), and Lever Brothers in operation; thereby providing the vestibule through which the Nigerian economy linked with the international economy.Marine transportation did not only revolutionise the life of the people living in the area, it also caused the coastal dwellers to sell their produce directly to the Europeans at the coast and the hinterland traders to directly export their agricultural produce overseas. However, over the years, people travelling between Cross-River riverine communities and Akwa-Ibom State have continuously encountered transportation challenges due to the dilapidated state of Calabar-Itu road. This paper analyses the marine sector in Akwa-Ibom State since the state creation and shows the efforts made by the state government to strengthen extant laws for the sector that would boost the state's economy as well as initiatives put in place to boost maritime security on the waterways and protect critical economic assets. In doing this analysis, the paper adopted the qualitative method of research where relevant documentary data and published literature were analysed and the content extracted for writing this paper. The findings of this paper reveal that marine transportation in Akwa-Ibom State is set to bring back the ancient fun memories of marine transportation, tourism and other economic activities along the coastline towns such as Oron, Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, and Ikot-Abasi.