As part of efforts to reduce delays at seaports, boost investors’ confidence, and reposition Nigeria as a regional maritime hub, the Federal Government through its new National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy has pledged to facilitate the quick completion of ongoing nine seaports construction across the country.
The document which was unveiled in Lagos and obtained by The Guardian also provide insights about ongoing efforts upgrade existing ports as well as plans to construct new ones.
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 Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, said 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.
Disclosing that procurement is ongoing for the Eastern Ports, he said these upgrades are 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,” he said.
He said the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy would unlock the potentials of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy to achieve an annual sector growth target of 7 per cent.
