The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed the approval in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola.
The approval comes in addition to the earlier approval for the modernisation and upgrade of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.
According to Oyetola, extending the modernisation programme beyond Lagos is intended to reduce the concentration of cargo traffic around the Lagos ports while creating additional efficient gateways for international trade.
He said the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’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.
Oyetola said modern and efficient ports are critical to facilitating trade, supporting industries, attracting investment and creating jobs.
He added that upgrading Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports would improve cargo-handling operations, reduce vessel turnaround times and strengthen regional connectivity.
The minister also said the improvements were expected to make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective for businesses operating across the country.
He described the four ports as strategically important to Nigeria’s trade, industrial and regional development, stressing that the government wants them equipped to meet the demands of a growing economy.
“Our approach is comprehensive. We are modernising existing ports while facilitating the development of new deep seaports,” Oyetola said, adding that the combined investments would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors.
The minister said the latest approval is part of a wider expansion of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
The Federal Government has also approved the development of several new deep seaports, including 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 the combination of upgrading existing ports and developing new deep-sea facilities would expand the country’s capacity to handle increasing volumes of trade and strengthen Nigeria’s position within Africa’s maritime and logistics sector.
The minister further outlined plans for an integrated maritime and logistics system in which ports would work together with roads, railways, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure to facilitate the movement of cargo.
He said the government’s objective is to reduce the time and resources Nigerian businesses spend moving goods while creating an environment capable of attracting investment and supporting employment.
Oyetola also reaffirmed the ministry’s intention to work with state governments, terminal operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the approved projects translate into tangible improvements in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
The latest approval therefore places four additional major ports outside Lagos within the Federal Government’s ongoing port-modernisation programme, alongside the previously approved upgrades to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
Comments
Post a Comment