by Edem Darlington
The Bakassi Deep Seaport, a potentially viable economic fortune staring right at the faces of Cross Riverians, nay Nigerians is gradually becoming a reality. With the ongoing hydrographic, geotechnical, and geophysical survey, the dream of the coastal state, South – South Nigeria becoming a major maritime evacuation corridor is gradually unfolding.
At a recent event at the Calabar jetty of the Nigerian Navy, the hydrographic, geotechnical, and geophysical survey for the Bakassi Deep Seaport was flagged off by the State governor, Sen. Bassey Otu.
That important milestone signaled a critical and crucial phase of birthing the port.
Over the next three months, huge Nigerian Navy vessels, will be stationed offshore, employing modern techniques to study the waters in order to ascertain that large vessels expected to dock at the port will not encounter any form of difficulties. A primary objective of the survey is to obtain data necessary for creating nautical charts, which show water depths, navigation channels and coastal structures, serving as essential tools for mariners
To make it even more simple, let us do an elementary analysis of what these processes involves.
What is a Geophysical survey?
This is the study of the earth’s physical properties and environment using physics. Geophysicist, those vested with the knowledge of the study, use a variety of methods to collect and analyze data, gaining insights to understand the earth’s subsurface.
What is Geotechnical survey?
This is the study of how soil and rock behave in engineered systems. As a branch of civil engineering, it applies the principles of soil and rock mechanics to address engineering challenges. They play a key role in industries like oil and gas, mineral extraction, and geothermal energy
What is Hydrography?
It is the science that measures and describes the physical features of bodies of water and the land areas adjacent to those bodies of water. Surveying with multibeam echo sounders is the primary method of obtaining hydrographic data.
The Cross River State government have received commendations for engaging the services of the Nigerian Navy to carry out this important process. Apart from the fact that it is economically prudent, the Nigerian Navy boasts of very competent personnel who have successfully carried out similar projects in other countries.
Why is the Bakassi Deep Seaport important to the Nigerian Maritime and the Oil and Gas sector?
For several years, Nigeria, despite being the largest oil-producing nation in Africa and the 16th largest in the world continues to bunker oil vessels outside the shores of the country. Bakassi Deep Seaport will put an end to that, with an impressive depth of about 17ft below the seas, it’ll be the deepest Seaport in the country with modern facilities that will encourage easy and seamless maritime activities at the port.
It is believed that the completion of the different surveys will allow for effective commencement of the actual physical construction.
One we can pray that the good policies and programs of the governor receives the blessings and cooperation of the federal government so as to bring the Bakassi Deep Seaport to a reality for the general good of the people.
Edem Darlington is the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State.
