The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced plans to develop a specialised fishing ports as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s blue economy and expand the trade frontiers of the fishing sector

The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, made the disclosure yesterday while delivering a paper titled “The Role of Port Infrastructure and Maritime Logistics in Advancing Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria” at the National Conference on Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria, organised by the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) in Lagos.

Represented by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Planning, Mr. Adegbite Adewumi, Dantsoho stated that developing a specialised fishing port would be important to expanding the fishing sub-sector as Nigeria seeks to deepen its blue economy.

Dantsoho stressed that private investors were expected to play a role in the development under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

On port infrastructure for fish and other perishable cargo, the NPA boss confirmed that efforts have been made to create a conducive environment for handling such cargo.

According to him, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) has been made a dedicated fish terminal, with cold-room facilities for storage, while a dedicated export processing terminal and efficient hinterland connectivity are also part of the infrastructure.

He affirmed that the major container terminals also have reefer facilities for the storage of perishable cargo, while ongoing port modernisation efforts are aimed at revamping port infrastructure.

The NPA chief also outlined key infrastructure required for fishing ports, including breakwaters, quays and wharves, slipways and shipyards, navigation channels, landing and unloading areas, ice plants and cold storage facilities, processing plants, as well as road and logistics networks.

He added that fishing ports require marine structures, handling facilities, and logistics support to ensure safe vessel operations and the preservation of seafood.

Dantsoho also addressed port operations, noting that 24-hour vessel berthing operations as well as cargo handling and delivery were already operational at the western ports.

Speaking earlier, the President of MARCON, Ismail Aniemu, urged state governments to invest deliberately in the fisheries sector and harness their marine resources to create jobs, strengthen food security and generate revenue.

He said Nigeria could no longer afford to have vast marine resources without adequately participating in the economic activities generated from them, stressing that fishing should occupy a stronger position in the country’s blue-economy agenda.

Nigeria’s marine endowment, he said, extends beyond fish to include octopus, crabs, shrimps, crayfish and other resources across the fisheries value chain.

Aniemu attributed the limited attention given to fisheries partly to Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on oil and gas, arguing that the country must begin to recognise fishing as an important source of economic diversification.

He said the sector had significant potential for wealth and job creation but questioned whether Nigeria was adequately participating in the value chain or managing its marine resources sustainably.