The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti has approved the commencement of a feasibility study for the proposed Azumini–Obeaku Seaport and Inland Waterways Corridor project.
The approval was granted on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation from China Harbour Engineering Company Limited led by Nicolas Liu at the Government House in Umuahia.
Otti directed the company to begin the study immediately and urged that the timeline be shortened from the proposed six months to accelerate decision-making on the project.
“I think you can take it that approval has been given for the feasibility study to commence,” the governor said, adding that efforts should also begin simultaneously to secure necessary regulatory approvals.
He specifically called for early engagement with the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Federal Ministry of Blue Economy, and the Presidency to facilitate the project’s potential take-off.
The governor noted that while the project holds promise, its viability would depend on technical findings from the study, particularly given the estimated distance of about 19 nautical miles from the high sea, which may require extensive dredging.
“Dredging increases cost, so the question of viability will come into play,” he said, urging the team to conduct a site visit to better assess the project location.
Earlier, Nicolas Liu said the company was seeking to partner with the Abia State Government to develop the seaport, citing its experience in major infrastructure projects in Nigeria, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
He outlined key factors for the success of such projects, including strong government commitment, sustainable funding arrangements, public-private partnership structures, and phased development, stressing that a detailed feasibility study was critical.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the Principal Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, and the Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, among others.