The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved maritime infrastructure and safety projects worth about N286 billion to modernise Nigeria’s ports, improve navigational safety and support the country’s growing blue economy.
Chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the council approved the purchase of marine pollution control vessels, pilot cutter boats and firefighting vessels, alongside capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the projects form part of the Federal Government’s plan to improve port operations, strengthen navigational safety and bring Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure closer to international standards.
The council approved the purchase of two modern marine pollution control vessels valued at about N59.05 billion. The vessels will help tackle oil spills, plastic pollution and other marine waste across Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks and inland waterways.
Lawal said the vessels will strengthen environmental protection efforts while making navigation safer across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The council also approved the acquisition of six pilot cutter boats worth about N80.03 billion. These boats will transport marine pilots safely to and from vessels arriving at Nigerian ports.
According to Lawal, the boats will improve pilotage services, support vessel movements through port channels and increase operational efficiency in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority.
To improve emergency response, the council approved the purchase of two firefighting boats valued at about N34.06 billion, equivalent to roughly $16.46 million.
Lawal explained that the specialised vessels will enable faster responses to fires involving ships, oil terminals, jetties and other key maritime facilities, helping to protect lives, property and the marine environment.
The council also approved the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel at a cost of N112.85 billion under a Public-Private Partnership between the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector operators.
Lawal said the dredging project will improve access to the channel by removing silt and other obstacles, maintaining navigational aids and strengthening marine pollution monitoring.
He added that the project will reduce vessel turnaround time, improve port efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a maritime and shipping hub in West Africa.
Lawal described the four approvals as strategic investments that will improve maritime safety, protect Nigeria’s coastal environment and encourage trade and investment across the blue economy.
He said the approvals reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to developing a safer, more efficient and environmentally responsible maritime sector that supports economic growth, international trade and new opportunities throughout the blue economy.
The approvals also follow reports from the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, where environmental experts warned that weak ocean governance, declining coastal ecosystems and inadequate maritime infrastructure could limit Nigeria’s blue economy ambitions.
source: https://punchng.com/
African Maritime Council