FG debunks claims of regional bias in port modernisation project
The federal government has dismissed recent claims by Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, suggesting that the ongoing $1 billion Lagos Port modernisation project reflects a bias toward ports in the South-West.
In a statement signed by Bolaji Akinola, special adviser to the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the ministry described Obi’s comments as incorrect and misleading, stressing that the federal government’s port modernisation efforts are nationwide and inclusive.
Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Economy, reiterated that the Lagos project is only one component of a broader, coordinated national strategy to revitalise maritime infrastructure across Nigeria.
According to the statement, the Ministry has already commenced the procurement process for the renovation and modernisation of the Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne ports. These, it said, are being undertaken alongside the Lagos port initiative to enhance efficiency, trade competitiveness, and regional economic growth.
The Ministry also highlighted ongoing collaborations with state governments and private investors on several deep seaport projects, including the Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa, Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom, Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers, and a proposed deep seaport in Cross River.
Each of these, the Ministry noted, reflects the federal government’s commitment to balanced development and regional inclusion within the framework of the national blue economy.
Furthermore, the statement pointed to the Onitsha River port in Anambra State, developed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as evidence of efforts to decentralise port operations and extend maritime access beyond Lagos.
“The Lagos ports modernisation project is a necessary intervention given the age and scale of trade handled through Apapa and TinCan Island. However, it is by no means the sole focus of the Federal Government’s maritime infrastructure drive.
“The Ministry’s ongoing efforts to upgrade, modernise, and expand other ports outside Lagos clearly affirm a nationwide commitment to developing the marine and blue economy in an equitable, sustainable, and forward-looking manner,” the statement read.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, accountable, and equitable maritime governance, adding that all ongoing reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to promote national food security, economic diversification, and regional prosperity through the blue economy.
It assured Nigerians that every region of the country will benefit from the opportunities and investments being driven through the nation’s expanding maritime sector.
