**Okays dredging of Escravos Channel, pollution control vessels, pilot boats, firefighting equipment

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved maritime infrastructure and safety projects worth about N286 billion in a major push to modernise Nigeria’s ports, strengthen navigational safety and unlock the economic potential of the country’s blue economy.

The approvals, granted at the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, cover the acquisition of marine pollution control vessels, pilot cutter boats, firefighting vessels and the dredging of the Escravos Channel.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the projects form part of the Federal Government’s strategy to improve port efficiency, safeguard the marine environment and bring Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure in line with global standards.

According to him, Council approved the procurement of two state-of-the-art marine pollution control vessels at a cost of about N59.05 billion to combat plastic pollution, oil spills and other marine waste across Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks and inland waterways.

He said the vessels would strengthen environmental protection efforts while improving navigational safety in the country’s maritime domain.

FEC also approved the acquisition of six pilot cutter boats valued at about N80.03 billion to facilitate the safe movement of marine pilots to and from vessels entering Nigerian ports.

The minister explained that the boats would improve pilotage services, support vessel navigation through port channels and enhance operational efficiency in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

To strengthen emergency response capacity, Council equally approved the procurement of two firefighting boats worth about N34.06 billion (approximately $16.46 million).

Lawal said the specialised vessels would enhance the country’s ability to respond swiftly to fires involving ships, oil terminals, jetties and other critical maritime infrastructure, thereby reducing risks to lives, property and the environment.

The largest approval was for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel, valued at N112.85 billion, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement between the Nigerian Ports Authority and private-sector operators.

He noted that the dredging project is expected to improve navigational access to the channel, remove silt and other obstructions, maintain critical navigational aids and strengthen marine pollution surveillance.

According to the minister, the initiative will also improve vessel turnaround time, increase port efficiency and reinforce Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime and shipping hub in West Africa.

He described the four projects as strategic investments that will deepen maritime safety, protect Nigeria’s coastal ecosystem and stimulate trade and investment within the country’s expanding blue economy.

“The approvals underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to building a modern, safe and environmentally sustainable maritime sector capable of supporting economic growth, facilitating international trade and creating new opportunities across the blue economy value chain,” he said.