The federal government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports for an efficient and competitive national port system.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approval on Sunday, noting that the move was in addition to the earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
The minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, said the latest approval formed part of the administration’s broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector as a major driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment.
The minister said extending the modernisation programme to ports outside Lagos would complement the investments in Apapa and Tin Can Island and help reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos by creating additional efficient gateways for international trade.
He noted: “The approval underscores the federal government’s determination to develop a balance.
“This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear that infrastructure renewal and economic diversification are central to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Modern, efficient and competitive ports are critical to achieving these objectives because they facilitate trade, support industry, attract investment and create jobs.”
Oyetola stressed that improved infrastructure and operational efficiency at Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports would enhance cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, improve regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.
“These ports have strategic roles to play in our trade, industrial and regional development, and we are determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy,” he said.
The minister added that the latest approval is also part of a wider expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
“It comes in addition to the federal government’s approvals for the development of new deep seaports, including the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River State, Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa State, Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun State, Ondo Deep Seaport in Ondo State, and Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State.”
According to Oyetola, The combination of modernising existing ports and developing new deep seaports will significantly expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports.
“This will give Nigeria greater capacity to handle increasing volumes of trade, attract investment and position our country as a major maritime and logistics hub in Africa,” the minister said.