By Mercy Aikoye
The Federal Government has approved the modernisation and upgrade of four major ports in the South-South region as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s cargo-handling capacity and reduce pressure on the Lagos ports.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said the approval covers Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports.
The latest development comes on the heels of the Federal Government’s earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, bringing more ports into the administration’s ongoing infrastructure renewal programme.
Oyetola said upgrading the ports outside Lagos would create additional efficient gateways for international trade and help address the concentration of cargo traffic in the Lagos axis.
According to him, improved infrastructure and operational efficiency at the four ports would enhance cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround time and improve the movement of goods across different parts of the country.
“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,” the minister said.
He added that the port modernisation programme formed part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition the maritime sector as a major contributor to economic growth, investment and employment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Beyond the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing facilities, Oyetola said the government was also pursuing the development of new deep seaports across the country.
He listed the 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 among the projects approved for development.
The minister said the combination of modernising existing ports and developing new ones would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and establish 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,” he said.
Oyetola further stressed the need for an integrated transport network linking seaports with roads, railways and inland waterways to ensure seamless cargo movement and reduce logistics costs.
He said the ministry would continue to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the various projects deliver measurable improvements in the nation’s maritime sector.
The minister maintained that Nigeria’s strategic location, large market and maritime resources provided the country with the potential to emerge as a leading maritime hub in Africa, adding that the government was focused on creating the infrastructure and policies required to unlock that potential.
