The Federal Government has approved comprehensive modernisation of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports, in addition to earlier approval for Apapa and Tincan Island ports in Lagos, to build a balanced, efficient and competitive national port system, as announced Sunday by Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola through his Special Adviser Dr Bolaji Akinola.
Oyetola said the approval is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition the maritime sector as a driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment, stating: “This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports.”
He said Tinubu is focused on infrastructure renewal and economic diversification, noting that “Modern, efficient and competitive ports are critical” to facilitate trade, support industry, attract investment and create jobs, and that extending modernisation beyond Lagos will reduce cargo concentration by creating additional efficient gateways.
He added that upgraded infrastructure at Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar will enhance cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, improve regional connectivity and make goods movement predictable and cost-effective, saying “These ports have strategic roles to play” and that combining modernisation with new deep seaports will expand capacity and create stronger economic corridors.
Oyetola said the vision is an integrated maritime and logistics system where ports, roads, rail and inland waterways work together for seamless cargo movement to make Nigeria a major maritime/logistics hub in Africa, reaffirming commitment to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors and shipping companies, alongside approvals for new deep seaports: Ibom Deep Seaport (Akwa Ibom), Bakassi (Cross River), Agge (Bayelsa), Gateway (Ogun), Ondo (Ondo) and Bonny (Rivers).