FG restates resolve to boost eastern ports

• As Oyetola commissions 4.8km road, others in Rivers
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adgboyega Oyetola, has said the Federal Government is poised to give Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) the backing necessary to address factors responsible for the under-utilisation of national assets.

The minister gave the assurance in his address at the commissioning of the 4.8km road “D” project and Marine crafts at Onne Complex in Rivers State, yesterday.

He said the road and the mooring boats were another testament to the commitment of the ministry to maximise opportunities in the maritime sector.

Oyetola noted that the six mooring boats, which would ensure safety of vessels while berthing, was FG’s way of further enhancing security and safety of the maritime space, emphasising that it would deepen efficiencies and full capacity in the utilisation of the strategic advantages of Onne and other Port complexes in the eastern axis and as well constitutes one of the tools deployed in actualising the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) assigned to the ministry under the Presidential Performance Bond.

He said: “Although issues concerning the potential of Onne have always dominated my correspondences with the NPA, I must say that this visit further convinces me that so much more can be achieved if we invest more in our port infrastructure such as we are doing with the over $1b worth of reconstruction/rehabilitation investment in our Ports including Onne which is at its conclusive stage.”

The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, while commending FG’s commitment to sustaining the revitalisation of the ports, said the Phase 4B houses a significant portion of the untapped potential of the Onne Port Complex.