The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy on Tuesday noted with concern the recent remarks made by former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi, regarding the Federal Government’s approval of the $1 billion modernisation of the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, the ministry said that while it welcomes constructive dialogue on national development, it is important to correct the misleading impression created by Mr Obi’s comments.

Akinola stated that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, had consistently stated at various fora that the Federal Government is modernising and upgrading the nation’s ports in a comprehensive and inclusive manner — not concentrating efforts solely in Lagos.

According to him, the ministry had already commenced the procurement process for the renovation and modernisation of the ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne.

These projects are being undertaken alongside the Lagos port modernisation initiative, forming part of a coordinated national strategy to revitalise and expand maritime infrastructure across all regions of the country.

In addition to these ongoing interventions, he said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is working closely with the respective state governments and private investors to develop new deep seaports that will further strengthen the nation’s maritime capacity.

“These include the Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa State, the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, the Bonny Deep Seaport in Rivers State, and a deep seaport in Cross River State. Each of these projects reflects the Ministry’s commitment to balanced development and regional economic inclusion within the framework of the national blue economy.

“Furthermore, the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State, developed by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) — an agency under the ministry — stands as a practical example of the Federal Government’s efforts to decentralise port operations and expand maritime access beyond Lagos.

“These initiatives demonstrate a deliberate and strategic approach to strengthening Nigeria’s port network, improving logistics efficiency, and stimulating industrial and commercial growth across the federation,” he stated.

He said the Lagos ports modernisation project is a necessary intervention given the age and scale of trade handled through Apapa and TinCan Island.

“However, it is by no means the sole focus of the Federal Government’s maritime infrastructure drive. The ministry’s ongoing efforts to upgrade, modernise, and expand other ports outside Lagos clearly affirm a nationwide commitment to developing the marine and blue economy in an equitable, sustainable, and forward-looking manner,” he added.

The ministry, therefore, stated “unequivocally that Mr Peter Obi’s claim suggesting neglect of ports outside Lagos is incorrect and misleading. The Federal Government’s policies and actions clearly demonstrate a balanced and inclusive approach to port development, guided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to promote national food security, economic diversification, and regional prosperity through the full harnessing of Nigeria’s maritime potential.” (TRIBUNE)