FG APPROVES UPGRADE OF FOUR PORTS

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The Federal Government has approved the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of Onne, Rivers, Delta and Calabar ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the approval on Sunday, saying the programme would complement the ongoing modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.

According to Oyetola, extending the modernisation programme to ports outside Lagos is aimed at reducing the concentration of cargo traffic around the Lagos axis and creating additional gateways for international trade.

He said the upgrades would improve cargo handling, reduce vessel turnaround times, strengthen regional connectivity and make the movement of goods more predictable and cost-effective.

The minister also disclosed that the government had approved the development of six new deep seaports in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers states.

Oyetola said the combination of upgrading existing ports and developing new deep seaports would expand Nigeria’s maritime capacity and create stronger economic corridors across the country.

He added that the government was working towards an integrated maritime and logistics system linking ports with roads, railways and inland waterways to facilitate cargo movement.