The Federal Government has dismissed as misleading the recent remarks by former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, on the $1 billion modernisation of the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos.
In a statement released on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy described Mr. Obi’s comments as “inaccurate” and reaffirmed that the port modernization efforts are being carried out across the country, not limited to Lagos.
According to the statement signed by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, the Federal Government’s ongoing port modernisation programme is a comprehensive and inclusive national strategy aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
“The Federal Government is modernising and upgrading the nation’s ports in a comprehensive and inclusive manner, not concentrating efforts solely in Lagos,” the statement read.
Dr. Oyetola noted that the Ministry has already initiated the procurement process for the renovation and modernisation of ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne, alongside the Lagos projects.
The statement further disclosed that the Ministry is collaborating with state governments and private investors on the development of several new deep seaport projects, including the Agge Deep Seaport (Bayelsa), Ibom Deep Seaport (Akwa Ibom), Bonny Deep Seaport (Rivers), and another in Cross River State.
“These projects reflect the Ministry’s commitment to balanced development and regional economic inclusion within the framework of the national blue economy,” it said.
Dr. Akinola also cited the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State, developed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) an agency under the Ministry as evidence of the Federal Government’s efforts to decentralise port operations and expand maritime access beyond Lagos.
He added that while the Lagos ports modernisation project remains a critical intervention due to its scale of trade and infrastructure age, it is “by no means the sole focus” of the government’s maritime drive.
“The Ministry’s ongoing efforts to upgrade, modernise, and expand 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 said.
The Ministry therefore urged the public to disregard claims suggesting neglect of ports outside Lagos, reiterating that the Federal Government’s actions are guided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to achieve economic diversification, food security, and regional prosperity through the blue economy.
“The Ministry remains committed to transparent, accountable, and equitable maritime governance, ensuring that every region of the country benefits from the opportunities in Nigeria’s growing blue economy,” Dr. Akinola concluded.
