By Nkeneke Efo
The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which included plans to complete nine ongoing seaport construction projects across the country.
This development is seen as a fruit of Governor Umo Eno’s “progressive movement” to the All Progressives Congress, which was aimed at securing Federal Government support for the completion of the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State.
The Federal Government, through its new National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, had pledged to facilitate the quick completion of ongoing seaports construction across the country.
The policy document revealed that nine seaports are currently under construction, including the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State.
It also revealed that the Federal Government plans to upgrade existing ports and construct new ones to reduce delays, boost investor confidence, and reposition Nigeria as a regional maritime hub.
The document which was unveiled in Lagos and obtained by The Guardian also provided insights on ongoing efforts towards upgrading existing ports as well as plans of constructing new ones.
The report reads,'”The nation currently boasts of seven seaports; Apapa Port Complex, Tin Can Island, Lekki Deep Seaport, Onne Port, Port Harcourt, Delta Port, and Calabar Port.
According to the policy document, the nine seaports in the works include: Ibom Deep Seaport, Badagry Deep Seaport, Olokola (Ogun) Deep Seaport, Ondo Deep Seaport, Bonny Deep Seaport, Burutu Port, Benin Port, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Agge Deep Seaport.
“Also in the pipeline is one river port in Lokoja; while four new Inland Dry Ports are expected in Erunmu, Ibadan- Oyo State, Isiala Ngwa, Abia State, Heipang, Jos – Plateau State, Jauri, Maiduguri- Borno State and Snake Inland Port.”
The report also quoted the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, saying that ‘the government is focused on modernising port infrastructure.’
According to him, the Federal Government has approved the contracts for the reconstruction of the Apapa and Tin Can Ports, under the Western Port Rehabilitation Programme.
He noted that procurement was ongoing for the Eastern Ports, adding the upgrades were complemented by the deployment of digital solutions, including the Port Community System, the E-Call-Up System, and a unified One-Stop-Shop for port clearance.
“These interventions are designed to reduce delays, boost investor confidence, and reposition Nigeria as a regional maritime hub,” the report quoted the Minster as saying.
”The Blue Economy would unlock the potentials of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy to achieve an annual sector growth target of seven per cent, ” the minister added.
