Oceans and the Sea and many a distance of 30 minutes drive.
FACTS ON GROUND
Development of a Sea-Port at Obuaku-Ndoki: many Nigerians, even including many enlightened sons and daughters of Nd’igbo, had, out of geographical ignorance, borne the impression that the South-East of Nigeria is land-locked. But being a visionary leader, the truth is now being made manifest that the Blue River/Imo River confluence at Obuaku-Ndoki is only twenty-five nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean. We are thankful that your administration is working committedly to establishing a sea-port at the confluence town of Obuaku.
AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE PEOPLE OF ABIA-SOUTH SENATORIAL ZONE ON THE OCCASION OF A GRAND CIVIC RECEPTION FOR HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR T. A. ORJI (OCHENDO GLOBAL) AT ABIA STATE POLYTECHNIC, ABA ON 1ST FEBRUARY, 2014.
AS SCRIPTED BY CHIEF (SIR) DON UBANI; KSC, JP (OKWUBUNKA OF ASA)

Chief (Sir) Don Ubani; ksc, JP 11/06/2013
"further inward by thinking of laying a bigger foundation of economy for not only Abia State but the whole of the South-East geo-political zone by formally conceptualizing the establishment of a sea-port at Obeaku-Ndoki, in Ukwa-East Local Government Area.
Embarking on a road map that will ginger his successor to see to the realization of a sea-port in Abia State, would correct the erroneous impression widely held by uninformed Nigerians that the South-East zone of Nigeria is land-locked. This is very far from the truth.The Imo River, which originates from Umuaku in Isuochi of Umunneochi Local Government Area meandered its way up to Obeaku-Ndoki, from where it emptied itself into the Atlantic Ocean. It is very strategic to mention that the distance between Obeaku-Ndoki and the Atlantic Ocean, which commences not far from Igwenga in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State, is only twenty-five nautical miles.For the avoidance of doubt, any zone that enjoys a proximity of even thirty nautical miles to a maritime endowment such as the Atlantic Ocean, should not in any way categorize itself as being land-locked. For the benefit of those who do not know, Port-Harcourt wharf is about forty nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean. It was dredged and scooped during the Premiership of Dr. M.I. Okpara during the defunct Eastern Region for ships to berth therein. If Port-Harcourt wharf could be made accessible to ships despite its fourty-nautical-mile distance to the Atlantic Ocean, it justifiably stands to reason that Obeaku-Ndoki Wharf, which is only twenty-five nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean, could be more readily and profitably accessed by ships. Since Nigeria parades a galaxy of consultants in marine engineering, obtaining professional advice in this regards may not be far from reach."
Chief (Sir) Don Ubani; ksc, JP(Okwubunka of Asa) Umuiku-Isi-Asa Ukwa-West L.G.A. P.M.B 7048 Aba

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FACTS ON GROUND BY Vincent Erondu
'Without Ikwerre the hinterland Igbos have many access to the sea. Port Harcourt came to prominence as from 1913 because of the development of the sea port and the Eastern Railway line. During the oil Rivers trade and the slave trade era Port Harcourt was not a factor in those trades. The trade route was through Azumini River through Ohambele via Opobo to Bonny (Ubani). At Bonny commodities were loaded and shipped overseas. Another route in fact the ealier route was through Cross River Aro chukwu to Calabar. Aboh, Onitsha and Ugwuta were also important sea routes to Atlantic ocean. Ikwerre is not wanted by the Igbo for any specific thing or need. The issue is matter of historical distortion and revisionism.

Talking about Port Harcourt, Igweocha is a common name for Port Harcourt, this name is a descripton of how the horrizon seems to be touching the ocean from a plain sea shore view. Its ancient name was odinaobu. We also have Igwenga. These names are spelt in various ways depending on the dialect of the writer.

Vincent Erondu