On Sunday, the federal government announced that it has approved a comprehensive modernisation programme for four major Nigerian ports outside Lagos – Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar – as part of a wider effort to expand the country’s maritime capacity and ease congestion at its busiest facilities.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola said the move was aimed at creating a more balanced port system, improving the movement of goods and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub. “These ports have strategic roles to play in our trade, industrial and regional development, and we are determined to equip them to meet the demands of a growing economy,” he said.
The approval follows earlier government sanctioning of the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, bringing more of the country’s major existing ports into the port renewal programme. Oyetola added that upgrading ports outside Lagos would help spread cargo traffic across the country instead of leaving Lagos to handle a disproportionate share of international trade.
He highlighted that improved facilities at the four ports would boost cargo handling, shorten the time ships spend at the ports and make the movement of goods more reliable. “Modern ports are critical to lowering the cost of doing business, attracting investment and creating jobs,” Oyetola said.
In addition to rehabilitating existing ports, the government has approved the development of several deep seaports, including:
- Ibom Deep Seaport – Akwa Ibom
- Bakassi Deep Seaport – Cross River
- Agge Deep Seaport – Bayelsa
- Gateway Deep Seaport – Ogun
- Ondo Deep Seaport – Ondo
- Bonny Deep Seaport – Rivers State
Oyetola explained that developing new deep seaports alongside upgrading existing ones would give Nigeria more capacity to handle rising cargo volumes and open up new economic corridors. He said the long‑term plan is to create a connected transport network where seaports work efficiently with roads, railways and inland waterways to move cargo across the country.
“Our ambition is to build a port system that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive,” the minister said. “We want Nigerian businesses to spend less time and resources moving their goods, while creating an environment that encourages investment and supports job creation.” He added that the ministry would work with state governments, port operators, investors, shipping companies and other stakeholders to ensure that the projects produce measurable improvements in the maritime sector.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
