FG Approves Modernisation of Onne, Rivers, Delta, Calabar Ports
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Morrisons Amankwo
Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s port infrastructure and develop a more balanced national maritime transport system.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approval, saying the planned intervention would extend ongoing efforts to modernise critical port infrastructure beyond Lagos.
The initiative follows earlier approvals for the upgrade of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos, with the government positioning the combined investments as part of its broader economic diversification and trade facilitation strategy.
Under the plan, the four ports outside Lagos are expected to receive extensive infrastructure improvements aimed at increasing their operational capacity and efficiency.
The Federal Government said the expansion of port infrastructure across different regions would provide additional trade gateways and help address congestion associated with heavy cargo traffic concentrated around Lagos ports.
The Onne Port, located in Rivers State, is particularly significant to the oil and gas industry and the wider maritime economy of the Niger Delta. Its modernisation is expected to strengthen its capacity to support cargo movement and maritime-related activities in the region.
The approved intervention also covers ports in Delta and Calabar, creating a wider network of upgraded maritime facilities that could support the movement of goods into and out of different parts of the country.
According to the Federal Government, the modernisation programme is expected to improve cargo-handling operations, reduce vessel turnaround times and lower shipping-related costs.
The government also expects the investments to improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime logistics chain and create conditions for increased trade through ports outside Lagos.
The development comes amid efforts by the Federal Government to use maritime infrastructure as a component of its economic diversification programme.
By improving infrastructure at strategic ports across the country, the government intends to strengthen regional trade connections while reducing pressure on existing facilities.
The modernisation programme is also expected to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness within the African maritime and logistics sector by improving the efficiency of its ports and strengthening connections between seaports, businesses and inland markets.
The Federal Government has continued to identify the marine and blue economy as an important component of its economic development agenda, with port infrastructure occupying a central position in efforts to facilitate international trade.
The approval of upgrades for Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar therefore represents an expansion of the government’s port modernisation programme from the Lagos axis to other strategic maritime locations.
When implemented, the projects are expected to increase the capacity of the affected ports, improve cargo movement and provide importers, exporters and shipping operators with additional options for moving goods through Nigeria’s maritime gateways.
The government said the broader objective is to establish a more balanced, efficient and globally competitive port system capable of supporting Nigeria’s growing trade requirements and strengthening the country’s position as a major logistics hub in Africa.
