{"id":130083,"date":"2026-10-16T21:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=130083"},"modified":"2026-10-16T21:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:53:12","slug":"fg-to-modernise-ports-reduce-pressure-on-lagos-oyetola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/fg-to-modernise-ports-reduce-pressure-on-lagos-oyetola\/","title":{"rendered":"\u200eFG To Modernise Ports, Reduce Pressure On Lagos \u2013 Oyetola"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Godswill Michael<\/div>\n
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\u200eThe Federal Government plans to modernise ports outside Lagos to reduce pressure on the state\u2019s maritime facilities, improve trade efficiency and stimulate economic activities across the country, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said.<\/div>\n
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\u200eOyetola gave the assurance on Friday at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment to developing a more balanced network of maritime gateways.<\/div>\n
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\u200eThe minister identified the ports of Onne, Warri and Calabar as key facilities targeted for modernisation, alongside ongoing efforts to improve operations at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports in Lagos.<\/div>\n
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\u200eHe also reiterated the government\u2019s commitment to developing six proposed deep seaports at Agge, Bakassi, Bonny, Gateway, Ibom and Ondo.<\/div>\n
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\u200e\u201cThis is a deliberate effort to expand capacity, improve efficiency and build a more balanced national network of maritime gateways,\u201d Oyetola said.<\/div>\n
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\u200eHe said that the government\u2019s maritime development strategy would connect seaports, inland dry ports and production centres through an integrated network of roads, railways and inland waterways.<\/div>\n
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\u200eAccording to him, the approach would bring cargo closer to producers and consumers, reduce transportation costs and strengthen the country\u2019s export capacity.<\/div>\n
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\u200e\u201cBy linking our seaports to Inland Dry Ports and production centres through an integrated multimodal network of road, rail and inland waterways, we are bringing cargo closer to producers and consumers, reducing haulage costs, easing pressure on Lagos, strengthening exports and stimulating industrial and logistics clusters across the Federation,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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\u200eOyetola said the government\u2019s port development agenda extended beyond coastal communities, adding that inland ports and waterways, including Onitsha and Baro, were essential to connecting businesses and production centres to domestic and international markets.<\/div>\n
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\u200eHe said the ministry was working with relevant government agencies and investors to ensure that its port development plans translated into functional infrastructure, efficient cargo handling, navigable channels and reliable transport connections.<\/div>\n
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\u200eThe minister also stated that the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026, as part of the government\u2019s efforts to strengthen economic regulation, promote fair competition and improve service delivery across the port system.<\/div>\n
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\u200eHe said sustained investment in port infrastructure and improved connectivity would reduce logistics costs, attract investments, support exports and create jobs across the country.<\/div>\n
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\u200eThe modernisation plan forms part of the Federal Government\u2019s broader blue economy agenda, which seeks to improve the efficiency of maritime infrastructure and expand the sector\u2019s contribution to national economic development.<\/div>\n
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\u200eThe Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, called for an end to attacks on seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz in his goodwill message at the event.<\/div>\n
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