Eastern Ports Need More Cargo — Oyetola, Dantsoho
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to modernising Nigeria’s Eastern ports as part of efforts to build a balanced, competitive and interconnected maritime transport system that will reduce logistics costs and strengthen the national economy.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated this yesterday at the Annual General Meeting and Conference of the League of Maritime Editors, held at BWC Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Oyetola, who was represented by his Director of Press, Mrs Anastasia Ogbonna, said the theme of the conference, “Lagos/Eastern Ports: How to Reverse Existing Imbalance in Disproportionate Cargo Vessel Calls,” was timely, given the concentration of cargo traffic around Lagos and the underutilisation of several Eastern ports.
He noted that the imbalance had significant implications for national logistics costs, regional economic development, infrastructure utilisation, investment and the overall competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
According to him, Lagos ports, particularly Apapa and Tin Can Island, have historically handled the largest share of Nigeria’s seaborne cargo. However, congestion, prolonged cargo dwell and vessel turnaround times, demurrage, pressure on road infrastructure and other supply chain challenges could no longer be ignored.
Oyetola said ports such as Onne, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar have significant potential to support industrial, agricultural, energy and commercial activities across the South-East, South-South and other parts of the country.
He identified inadequate infrastructure, draft limitations, navigational constraints, security concerns, poor hinterland connectivity, equipment shortages, high operational costs and limited service predictability as some of the factors restricting the ability of Eastern ports to attract regular and competitive vessel calls.
The minister stressed that addressing the imbalance was not a regional demand but a national economic imperative, noting that the Federal Government was pursuing a deliberate strategy to strengthen the entire port network under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the government’s port development programme includes channel deepening, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, improvements in navigational safety, upgrading of cargo-handling facilities, enhanced security and the creation of a more predictable operating environment for shipping lines, terminal operators and cargo owners.
Oyetola explained that the concentration of ongoing modernisation projects at Lagos ports should not be interpreted as preferential treatment, saying project sequencing was being determined by operational urgency, economic necessity, financing, readiness and the need to ensure continuity of national trade.
“We are not developing Lagos at the expense of the East. We are strengthening Lagos while building the capacity of the Eastern corridor to assume a greater and more strategic share of national maritime traffic,” he said.
He added that cargo redistribution would require more than physical infrastructure, stressing that shipping lines consider factors such as draft, berth availability, cargo volumes, turnaround time, security, tariffs, hinterland connectivity and operational reliability when choosing a port.
The minister therefore called for stronger maritime security, competitive commercial incentives, digitalisation, efficient road, rail and inland waterway connections, as well as increased private sector participation.
He noted that the National Single Window and Port Community System would enhance transparency, improve information sharing and facilitate faster cargo clearance.
Earlier, the President of the League of Maritime Editors, Mrs Remi Itie, said the conference was organised as part of the media’s responsibility to set the agenda for policymakers, inform citizens and promote solutions to challenges affecting the maritime and blue economy sectors.
Itie urged the government to develop Nigeria’s coastal areas and tackle pollution and waste along the coastal corridor, warning that environmental degradation could undermine fisheries, public health and the export potential of marine products.
The Chairman of the conference, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said the debate over cargo concentration had generated strong sentiments within the maritime industry. He, however, stressed that the League’s choice of the topic reflected its concern over the economic development and competitiveness of the Eastern ports.
Ebubeogu said the competitiveness of Nigerian ports should be measured by safety, security, efficiency, navigational access, tariffs, hinterland connectivity, customs clearance and their ability to attract both captive and contestable cargo.
He urged stakeholders to embrace smart and green port development as part of efforts to position Nigeria’s ports for sustainable growth.
Also speaking through the Acting Director, Regulatory Services, Ms Adaora Nworu, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, said port modernisation was essential to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Dantsoho said the NPA’s modernisation programme combines physical reconstruction, digital transformation, institutional reforms and improved hinterland connectivity.
According to him, the programme includes the rehabilitation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, interventions at Eastern ports, expansion of digital systems, electronic truck call-up, the Vessel Traffic Management System and other measures designed to improve cargo clearance, port efficiency and investor confidence.
He said the success recorded at Lekki Deep Sea Port had demonstrated the potential of modern infrastructure and automation, adding that Nigeria could replicate the model across other viable ports to increase cargo throughput, attract more shipping lines, generate revenue, create jobs and position the country as a leading maritime hub in West Africa.
