by The Honorable Commissioner for Commerce Cross River State, Mrs. Abigail Orok JP has said that the Calabar Port is currently usable and ships come in regularly. She further revealed that the issue of shallow depth is a fallacy and revealed that ships currently from Inland waterways are exporting to Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, adding that both Import and export activities are ongoing.
The commissioner said this during a courtesy visit of delegates from FAD 93.1 FM Calabar in her office today.
She revealed that a visit to the Port Authority made this easy.
“We were able to get to the Port Authority, one of our core mandates is trade facilitation and promotion. we facilitate export trades and must know what is happening in the chambers.” She said.
“They’ve been this rumour that the Calabar port is not working, but a visit to the port revealed that the port is usable and working. the issue of the shallowness of the water is a fallacy and not true because big ships come in regularly.” She said.
She further revealed that a meeting with the Nigerian Port Agency to promote trade revealed that 25 to 26 ships come into Calabar in a month.
“Before about 5 to 6 ships come in a month but now we have 25 to 30 ships coming a month. From The Inland waterways export is going on to Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.” She added.
The Commissioner added that the ministry met with the Comaroon consulate to strengthen ties and promote trade between both countries.
“We visited the Cameroon Consulate to strengthen ties with them because Cross River is surrounded by Cameroon and we need to partner with the Cameroon government to strengthen the relationship”
She further stated that as a means of strengthening and promoting trade in the state, a meeting with the Calabar Traders Association (CATA) and Nigerian Market Traders Association (NMTA) resulted in the reduction of taxation in the Marian Market.
“We were able to meet with Calabar Traders Association (CATA) and Nigerian Market Traders Association and their challenges were raised which we are working on to reduce multiple taxations”
Abigail Orok also commended the governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu for his developmental strides which she said are evidential and visible to all.
In his remark, the Head of Programs FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, Mr Fidelis Ubana applauded the commissioner for the efforts and commitment to promoting trade in Cross River State. He also added that only a resolute and dogged woman with a good heart can pursue and achieve this.
He further extends the warm regards of the MD/CEO of FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, Mr. Fidelis Duker adding that FAD 93.1 FM is ready to partner with the Ministry of Commerce for Information dissemination.
In attendance also were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Mr Sunday Omini, The director of Administration, Ministry of Commerce, Mrs Glory O.
The delegates from FAD 93.1 FM were the Head of Programs, Mr. Fidelis Ubana, The Accountant/Admin officer Glory Emmanuel, the Sports Reporter Mr. Francis Idorenyin, the Social media manager Mr. Oluchi Omai and Larretta Linus a reporter.
