Gov Eno’s “Progressive Movement” Bears Fruit

 

*As FG unveils strategy to complete Ibom Deep Seaport, Eight Others

 

By NKENEKE EFO

 

There are indications that the “progressive movement” of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State to the All Progressives Congress which was hinged on “enlightened state interest” and the hope of getting the Federal Government to support the state to complete the Ibom Deep Sea Port, has started bearing fruits.

In a report by Sulaimon Salau in The Guardian of July 5, 2025, monitored by this reporter in Uyo, the Federal Government, through its new National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, has pledged to facilitate the quick completion of ongoing nine seaports construction across the country.

It is part of efforts to reduce delays at seaports, boost investors’ confidence, and reposition Nigeria as a regional maritime hub, the report said.

Part of the report reads: “The document which was unveiled in Lagos and obtained by The Guardian also provide insights about ongoing efforts to upgrade existing ports as well as plans to construct new ones.

“The nation currently boasts of seven seaports; Apapa Port Complex, Tin Can Island, Lekki Deep Seaport, Onne Port, Port Harcourt, Delta Port, and Calabar Port.

“According to the policy document, the nine seaports in the works include: Ibom Deep Seaport, Badagry Deep Seaport, Olokola (Ogun) Deep Seaport, Ondo Deep Seaport, Bonny Deep Seaport, Burutu Port, Benin Port, Bakassi Deep Seaport, Agge Deep Seaport.

“Also in the pipeline is one river port in Lokoja; while four new Inland Dry Ports are expected in Erunmu, Ibadan- Oyo State, Isiala Ngwa, Abia State, Heipang, Jos – Plateau State, Jauri, Maiduguri- Borno State and Snake Inland Port.”

The report also quoted  the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, as saying the government is focused on modernising port infrastructure.

According to him, the Federal Government has approved the contracts for the reconstruction of the Apapa and Tin Can Ports, under the Western Port Rehabilitation Programme, the report added.

Disclosing that procurement is ongoing for the Eastern Ports, the Minister, according to the report, said these upgrades are complemented by the deployment of digital solutions, including the Port Community System, the E-Call-Up System, and a unified One-Stop-Shop for port clearance.

“These interventions are designed to reduce delays, boost investor confidence, and reposition Nigeria as a regional maritime hub,” the report quoted the Minster as saying.

He was also quoted as saying the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy would unlock the potentials of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy to achieve an annual sector growth target of 7 per cent.