Primary purpose of the project

The Bakassi Integrated Deep Seaport Project Restructuring aims to enhance the national cargo handling capacities and serve as a logistics corridor for the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport. An integral component of the project is the development of a 275-km Calabar-Ogoja-Gakem tolled six lane Superhighway (Superhighway Project) in the first instance, with the possibility for extension to neighboring states. The Projects align with Cross River State Government's strategic integrated infrastructure and will promote infrastructure development, attract investment, create employment, and stimulate its economy.

Alignment with the country's national climate-change mitigation and adaptation targets

The State Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Works and Ministry of Transport, provided oversight to ensure the project aligns with the National Climate Change Policy Response and Strategy (2012), revised in 2021 https://climatechange.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NCCP_NIGERIA_REVISED_2-JUNE-2021.pdf that include national climate mitigation strategy and flood management policy to modify and adapt standards and guidelines for transport infrastructure construction, maintenance and exploitation under different climatic scenarios, and contribute to improve environmental performance of the transport sector by the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) 2021. The long hours of traffic congestion experienced on the road due to bad roads will increase vehicular movement and emissions; the high C02 emission in the area will be reduce once the road is completed. Also, clearing bushes during the project can sometimes lead to deforestation, which contributes to GHG emissions due to the release of stored carbon in trees. However, the project plans to incorporate reforestation initiatives in areas affected by construction to offset carbon emissions.

Contribution to Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions

The Bakassi Integrated Deep Seaport and the Calabar-Ogoja-Gakem Superhighway are strategic infrastructure projects that will contribute to an increase in vehicular movement and emissions; the high C02 emission in the area due to long hours of traffic congestion will be reduced once the bridge is completed. Also, incorporating community outreach programs to educate and involve local communities in sustainable practices will foster a sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship. This project will contribute to the national target of reducing GHG emissions by 20% below business as usual by 2030 - (Nigeria National Determined Contribution, 2021).

Mitigation features that contribute to the transition towards a net-zero future

The project is designed to incorporate climate change mitigation measures, including afforestation programs investing in carbon offset projects to counterbalance any remaining CO2 emissions, ensuring a net-zero or carbon-neutral outcome.