Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed the allegation of discriminatory sentiments against Oro, the third largest ethnic group in the state, in the location of Ibom Deep Seaport and Industrial City. The Oron are found in Oron, Okobo, Mbo, Urueoffong Oruko and Udung Uko local governments

They said the “original” site of the seaport at “Ibaka Bay” was moved to another location due to sentiments against the people of Oron by other groups.

But the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon, said government’s decision of sitting the project was based on viability and accessibility of the seaport, not on sentiments. He told reporters on Thursday in Uyo that locations were accessed by experts, before the location, which traversed Mbo and Ibeno local governments, was selected. Okon said the government cannot afford to be sentimental on a project of such magnitude and economic importance to the people of the state and other Nigerians.

“We have been engaging and will still continue to engage the people so that they will understand that there is no sentiment attached to a project of that magnitude. The site was eventually chosen after studies and researches based on viability and accessibility.

“The studies were done by experts based on outlined business case done during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and this was before Udom Emmanuel became the governor. So there can’t be any sentiment on this,” he said.

Source: The Nation