• Says move critical to lowering logistics costs

The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta, and Calabar ports, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced.

The approval is in addition to the earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, underscoring the Federal Government’s determination to develop a balanced, efficient and competitive national port system.

Oyetola, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, said the latest approval formed part of the administration’s broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector as a major driver of economic growth, trade, investment and employment under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister said extending the modernisation programme to ports outside Lagos would complement the investments in Apapa and Tin Can Island and help reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos by creating additional efficient gateways for international trade.

“This approval marks another important step in our determination to transform Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and unlock the enormous economic potential of our ports. President Tinubu has made it clear that infrastructure renewal and economic diversification are central to the Renewed Hope Agenda. Modern, efficient and competitive ports are critical to achieving these objectives because they facilitate trade, support industry, attract investment and create jobs,” the minister said.

He noted that 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.

According to him, these ports have strategic roles to play in Nigeria’s trade, industrial and regional development, adding that the government is determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy.

The minister said the latest approval is also part of a wider expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and comes in addition to the Federal Government’s approvals for the development of new deep seaports, including 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.

According to Oyetola, the combination of modernising existing ports and developing new deep seaports will significantly expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country.

MEANWHILE, Oyetola has said the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the country’s seaports, strengthen regulation and improve connectivity with the hinterland are critical to reducing logistics costs and driving economic growth.

Oyetola, who was represented by the Director, Inland Transport Services, Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Paul Garnuwa, stated this at a transport industry forum organised by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) in Lagos.

The forum, which focused on the theme, “Unlocking Economic Growth Through Transportation Logistics,” brought together stakeholders to examine ways of improving Nigeria’s transport and logistics system.

Oyetola said transportation logistics determined how efficiently goods moved from production centres to consumers and how effectively Nigeria connected to regional and international markets.

According to him, the cost, speed, reliability and predictability of the movement of goods have direct implications for investment, production, trade and employment.

He said the performance of Nigeria’s ports and waterways could not be considered in isolation, as they formed part of a wider logistics chain involving roads, rail, inland waterways, warehouses and distribution networks.