The federal government has been urged to take advantage of the significant economic potential of the nation’s aquatic resources, particularly in the Niger Delta region, to stimulate national growth.
To achieve this, it is essential to decentralize port services, which is crucial to unlock the entire potential of the country’s blue economy.
During an interview on ADBN Television on Friday, monitored in Asaba, the State Commissioner of Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, declared that the South-South region is the natural center of the blue economy of Nigeria, since all the states of the region are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
He pointed out that the excessive dependence of the Port of Apapa in Lagos has hindered the growth of Nigeria’s maritime potential.
Mr. Aniagwu pointed out that the Government of the State of Delta, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, is already creating a conducive environment for companies to bloom, particularly in sectors related to the blue economy.
He also emphasized the ongoing infrastructure efforts of the State, which include improving road connectivity between urban and rural areas.
“The administration of Oborevwori is building a new road in Asaba that leads to the Niger River, opening opportunities and submitting the bases for a new city, the city in front of the sea of Asaba,” he said.
In addition, he said that residents can now travel from Asaba to Warri in just one hour and fifty minutes, thanks to the completion of a soft highway that is potholed, greatly improving travel efficiency and regional connectivity.
“The improved infrastructure such as Dual Asaba-Urghelli transport is not just about the ease of movement. It is also about allowing trade, attracting investments and promoting sustainable development. This type of development creates a domino effect in multiple sectors.”
He emphasized the need to completely develop and maximize the existing ports in the Niger Delta, including Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu in the state of Delta, the Ibom Deep Seort in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom. State, Onne Port in Rivers and Calabar Port in Cross River, as viable alternatives to lake ports.
Aniagwu also advocated the establishment of a functional port in Lokoja and the dredging of the Niger River to allow the largest ships to liten there.
This, he said, would relieve the movement of the load to the middle belt and other parts of northern Nigeria, reducing the dependence of the port of congested Apapa.
“Relising and expanding these ports will allow Nigeria to participate more competitively in the world maritime economy,” he said. “It will also diversify our sources of national income and reduce our excessive dependence on oil.”
He recalled that experts have advised for a long time for investment in modern port infrastructure. A well -equipped port system, he said, is crucial for efficient import and export activities.
Aniagwu emphasized the importance of improving port facilities to accommodate large boats and heavy duty load, placing Nigeria as a maritime shopping center in Western Africa.
“Imagine the economic transformation if the ports into underutilized locations were developed and operated at full capacity,” he said. “This would allow the establishment of free trade zones and the support infrastructure in several regions of the country.”
Aniagwu asked the relevant authorities, port managers and interested parties in the maritime sector to seek bold reforms and higher investments in port development.
In addition, he emphasized that the improved port infrastructure would also extend the useful life of the Nigeria road network, since less trucks of high content would be needed to transport products to long distances, thus reducing the wear and tear of the road.
“When addressing these long data challenges and adopting high speed connectivity and modern logistics, we can overcome the limitations that our progress has hindered for too long,” said Aniagwu.
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