The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, launched a ferry service on Tuesday that connects the state’s capital, Calabar, with Limbe in Cameroon.
Gov. Otu, represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, pledged to use all available blue economy resources for the benefit of the state and its people. He emphasized the maritime sector’s role as a driver of economic growth.
“The blue economy is an area we won’t ignore. It’s not only a gateway to the Gulf of Guinea but it will boost the economy of the state,” he said.
The ferry service, run by a private company called Sea Express Transit Limited, not only enables travel from Calabar to Limbe but also links Calabar to Oron in Akwa Ibom.
The governor promised to create a conducive environment for business and said that the state government, in collaboration with Sea Express Transit Limited and the state’s Ministry of Transportation, is committed to ensuring a safe and effective launch of the ferry service in Cross River State.
Mr. Thompson Eja, the Chief Executive Officer of Sea Express Transit Ltd., commended the Cross River Government for supporting private sector development by providing a favourable and enabling business climate.
He disclosed that the ferry service would start operations with three ferries: one for the Calabar to Limbe route and two for the Calabar to Oron route.
Eja also noted that the launch of the ferry service would solve existing challenges in transporting agricultural products, such as cocoa, from Cross River.
Furthermore, he predicted that the ferry service would create at least 2,000 jobs in the next three to four years.
