President Tinubu

Author: Gist Correspondent

The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of four ports in the eastern part of the country — Onne, Rivers State; Warri, Delta State; Calabar, Cross River State; and another eastern port — as part of efforts to improve efficiency, trade facilitation and competitiveness in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in Lagos in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr Bolaji Akinola.

Oyetola said the approval complemented the Federal Government’s earlier decision to modernise the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.

According to the minister, the initiative is part of the administration’s broader strategy to reposition the maritime sector as a major driver of economic growth, trade, investment, industrialisation and employment.

He said the port modernisation programme was also consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on infrastructure renewal and economic diversification.

Oyetola explained that extending port modernisation beyond Lagos would help decongest the country’s busiest maritime gateways by creating more efficient alternative routes for international cargo.

He said the deployment of upgraded infrastructure and modern cargo-handling equipment at the affected ports would increase their capacity, reduce vessel turnaround time and lower the cost of doing business.

The minister added that improved port infrastructure would strengthen regional connectivity and national supply chains, while making the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.

He said the modernisation programme formed part of a wider expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, which also includes plans for six new deep seaports across different parts of the country.

The proposed deep seaports, according to Oyetola, are Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State.

“Combining modernisation of existing ports with the development of new deep seaports will significantly expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country,” he said.

Oyetola said the Federal Government was also pursuing an integrated maritime and logistics system in which seaports would be effectively connected to roads, railways and inland waterways.

He explained that the objective was to establish an efficient, transparent and globally competitive port system capable of reducing the time and cost involved in moving goods across international borders and to inland destinations.

The minister said the government would continue to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the modernisation projects translate into sustainable economic growth, improved trade and job creation.

He said the Federal Government remained committed to expanding Nigeria’s maritime capacity and ensuring that ports across the country played a greater role in driving economic development.