Evaluating the Marine Transportation Sector of Akwa Ibom State within the Framework of the Nigerian Blue Economy

The marine transportation sector of Akwa Ibom State was evaluated in order to ascertain its potential for the development of the State in the context of the Blue Economy. Some coastal communities with a direct connection to the Atlantic Ocean were selected from the five local government areas of the State. Parameters on maritime transportation such were studied. The result showed that there were two ports with moderate warehousing spaces. These were Marina and Ibaka ports. Based on connection with Land-based Transport System, the study showed that Marina Port, Ibaka Port, Jetty, and Mc Friday Port are the only ports with a direct connection to the road network. Also, based on the connection with the Inland waterways, Mbe Ndoro, Mc Friday, Ibaka, Iwu Owo Okpolom and Emereoke Port were the only recognized port with direct access to the inland waterways. For the Navigability of the waters, the Eastern waters were somewhat stable for navigation while the southern waters were sometimes turbulent and characterized by storm surge. In collecting data for the economic valuation of the sector. a total sample size of 768 respondents was obtained using the Godden’s (2004) formula. The questionnaire was administered using the purposive sampling technique. The result further showed that Engine Propelled and Manually Propelled were the major boat/ship types used. For the evaluation of the marine transportation sector, the consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) method in market price approach was employed. The present economic valuation of the Marine transport sector of the area was high; an indication that the marine transportation sector of the Akwa Ibom blue Economy is viable and that investing in it is bound to be profitable, as customers are willing to pay more for its services.

harnessing, marine transportation, framework, blue economy

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