Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of four major ports outside Lagos as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around the Lagos axis.
Gatekeepers News reports that Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approval on Sunday. The ports affected are Onne and Rivers ports in Rivers State, Delta Port in Delta State, and Calabar Port in Cross River State.
The approval follows an earlier decision by the Federal Government to modernise and upgrade the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos. Oyetola said extending the programme to other parts of the country would create additional gateways for international trade and contribute to a more balanced 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,” Oyetola said.
According to the minister, the upgrades are expected to improve cargo handling, reduce the time vessels spend at the ports and strengthen regional connectivity. He also said the improvements would 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.
Oyetola said the government’s plan goes beyond upgrading existing ports, noting that it is also facilitating the development of new deep seaports in different parts of the country.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” the minister said.
The Federal Government has also approved the development of 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 State.
Oyetola said combining the modernisation of existing facilities with new deep seaports would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and strengthen economic corridors across the country.
“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,” he said.
The minister added that the government was working towards an integrated maritime and logistics system where ports, roads, railways and inland waterways would work together to facilitate the movement of cargo.
The ministry is expected to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors and shipping companies to implement the approved projects.
