FG approves upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta, Calabar ports to decongest Lagos

The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos.

Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Economy, announced the approval, saying it complements the earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.

According to Oyetola, the expansion of the port modernisation programme beyond Lagos is aimed at developing a more balanced, efficient and competitive national port system.

“This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports,” the minister said in a statement signed by Bolaji Akinola, his Special Adviser on Media and Communications.

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He said the initiative formed part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition the maritime sector as a driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Oyetola said extending the modernisation programme to ports outside Lagos would create additional efficient gateways for international trade and help reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around the Lagos ports.

He said 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 latest approval is part of a wider expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, coming alongside government approvals for the development of new deep seaports.

The approved projects include 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.

Oyetola said the combination of upgrading existing ports and developing new deep seaports would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country.

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“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.

The minister said the government was also working towards an integrated maritime and logistics system in which ports, roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure operate together to facilitate the movement of cargo.

“Our ambition is to build a port system that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive. We want Nigerian businesses to spend less time and resources moving their goods, while creating an environment that encourages investment and supports job creation,” Oyetola said.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the various projects translate into tangible improvements in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

“Nigeria has the geography, market and maritime resources to become a leading maritime hub. Our responsibility is to provide the infrastructure, policies and enabling environment to turn that potential into sustainable economic value,” he said.