Oyetola says Southsouth key to Nigeria blue economy
Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola announced federal plans to modernize ports across Nigeria’s southern coastal states and develop new deepwater facilities in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers. During a meeting with South South Development Commission leadership in Abuja, the minister outlined dredging operations that will expand draft depths to 16 meters at Warri, Rivers, Onne and Calabar ports to accommodate larger commercial vessels and reduce freight expenses.
Additional seaport construction will proceed in Agge, Ibom, Bakassi and Bonny under partnerships with state authorities. Oyetola emphasized the region’s extensive coastline and maritime resources, positioning it as central to expanding aquaculture production and reducing fish imports while creating employment opportunities through coastal tourism development along the Lagos-Calabar Highway corridor.
Commission Managing Director Usoro Akpabio proposed establishing a collaborative working group between her organization and the ministry to coordinate regional blue economy initiatives.
