Poised to consolidate on its heritage and legacy, Cross River State government is determined to turn around the state’s economic fortunes through some high yielding ideas. About 70 firms had earlier expressed interest to supply or operate the state’s proposed Airline and shipping fleet including 2 Boeing 737-700 series, oil and gas tankers, dry bulk merchant vessel and yacht. 10 companies were selected by the state Excos two weeks ago and the final bid slated for 14 August 2017. When completed it will improve the state’s IGR as well as increase tourist visiting Calabar carnival? The New Diplomat’s South – south Correspondent, Akanimo Kufre spoke with Commissioner for Transport, Cross River State, Hon. Saviour Nyong, on what Gov Ayade and members of the state’s executive expect from private partners as the bid enters final stage.
Is 14th of August still a tentative date for the final bid of securing state-owned airlines and shipping vessels?
For now I have not received confirmation from the governor since he is outside the country. Be that as it may, if we want to go by our rules whether the governor comes back or not surely we would try and go ahead. This time it will not be publicised or televised live as the last time. Being that we have taken the major and critical decision in the last selection exercise maybe that will be driven strictly by the ministry, which is the ministry of transport in this context. We will now get other stakeholders, due process bureau and perhaps members of the society that are interested in the financial bidding process.
Can you describe the expectations on commencement of Cally Air before Calabar Christmas carnival?
The expectations are very high and to some persons they have not seen it working at all, but be it as it may, as the man at the helm of the ministry that handles the process, I am double sure it is feasible. Though we will allow the necessary timeline, we are working already with one or two carriers that has already air operational certificate which should have been an hindrance. From those we have shortlisted we have even mandated them to go ahead to sourcing of the series of plane that we are going to acquire, that is Boeing 737, 700 series. So by the grace of God we are just hoping that funding model and whatever we are going to need to have those two numbers of aircraft to start operation for the Calabar carnival is achievable. We look forward to making sure we commence flight operations by the grace of God first or second week of December 2017.
On the shipping fleet what route are you considering and when is the commencement?
All the process of acquiring a suitable vessel that will be very good for the water ways, must be of good standing, because we are not just going to get vessels that will not outlive the life of this administration. We need very good one and we are sourcing for finances on time. By the grace of God even before then we have to be thinking of jetty where those vessels will berth. You will think about office accommodation, staffing and the rest which are the things we are doing quietly. So we are looking at if we cannot get that started now, with all amount of sincerity, we know funding has been a major challenge in most administration especially now that we are witnessing a recess economy. We are looking at between now and the end of the year or at most before the end of first quarter of next year. Those vessels should arrive here, you know it will take months for secured vessels to arrive the shores of Nigeria talk less of taking to Calabar. It also depends on the country of purchase. So it is not just one plus one and you have two. Even cooking soup is a long process, you have to know the items you will get from the market, when you come back you start preparation of a pot of soup. The fastest am sure will take up to 3 to 4 hours. So you can see how task full it is talk less of getting this massive programme and project done.
As far back as 16th century, Calabar was known as international seaport city, are you driving back that status or gearing towards economic vibrancy?
There is no way the government over time, year in year out will just be watching the endowment we have. A lot of countries that have water we have knows no hunger, knows no starvation or poverty. In our local parlance it is said, ‘iyene do ke mmong’, there is wealth in water. If we make proper utilisation of the coastlines it should add value in terms of employment generation, revenue generation. It should add value in terms of security of the water ways because if there is renewed activities along the water ways there will be renewed surveillance from the Navy, Police and other agencies that has to do with security of the water ways. As a State, it is a key component of securing economic activities in the mangroves area. We want to get back to that status. You are even talking about 16th century of recent, Cross River State use to have MV Obudu that use to ply Oron and so many local routes. If we have connection between Cross River and Akwa Ibom through the sea it will lessen the pressure on our roads. These are the wisdom of the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade who is trying to look inward to generate economic independence having lost the oil wells in Bakassi peninsula which Cross Riverians are still grieving till now. The governor is thinking outside the box to take Cross River State out of the precarious situation.
