C’River Lawmaker Calls For Resumption of Commercial Activities At Calabar Marina

Hon. Effiong Ekarika, Member representing Calabar South 1 Constituency, Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the state government to prioritize revamping commercial activities at the Calabar Marina with a view to create jobs, boost revenue and curb youth restiveness.

Hon. Ekarika disclosed this in a well-articulated motion presented at the floor of Assembly during resumed plenary on 7 January 2025.

The articulate lawmaker noted that closure of commercial activities at the coastal region has led to untold hardship on citizenry who hitherto earned legitimate living by transacting businesses with importers and exporters, calling on Cross River State Government to expedite actions for the return of commercial activities in the Marina to ease growing tension associated with hardship.

Referencing the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended, he quotes section 17 sub 3A, which empowers states government to direct it policies towards creating enabling environment for citizens to thrive, Hon. Ekarika admonished government across board to direct her policies towards ameliorating the gross abandonment witnessed at United African Company, John Holt, Yamaha, among others that are scattered around the Bay Side axis of Calabar Marina.

According to the parliamentarian, establishing a good anchorage at the Calabar Marina would impact positively on livelihood as Calabar port shares proximity to the Atlantic Ocean for imports/export as well as Northern Nigeria as evacuation corridor to end users.

Hon. Effiong Ekarika prayed state government to do all within it constitutional powers to ensure lease of hope is returned on commercial activities at the Marina.

Additionally, he urged state government to partner with relevant Agencies including the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and the private sector to address issues militating effective resumption of commercial activities at the Calabar Marina.

While giving impetus to the motion, RT. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly applauded the lawmaker for the timely motion. The Speaker also eulogized the governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu for stride in dredging as recently witnessed at the Bakassi deep seaport.

RT. Hon Ayambem called on government across strata to up her game in giving Calabar Marina healthy commercial activities in view of it vintage position in the league of indigenous ports while noting the many contributions of Calabar to the Nigeria project.

He called on national Lawmakers from the state to resolve legislative bottlenecks serving as albatross to Calabar port operation.

Meanwhile, this motion on revamping commercial activities at the Calabar Marina adds another layer to the ongoing national discuss on inclusivity underscoring the importance of a united Nigeria were citizen’s rights to healthy aspirations are protected despite ethnic, religious or gender biases.

It will be recalled that after the chiefs of Duke Town accepted British protection in 1884, the town, which was called Old Calabar until 1904, served as capital of the Oil Rivers Protectorate (1885–93), the Niger Coast Protectorate (1893–1900), and Southern Nigeria (1900–06) until the British administrative headquarters were moved to Lagos.