FEC approves N286bn maritime projects

The Federal Executive Council on Monday approved maritime infrastructure and safety projects worth about N286bn aimed at modernising the country’s ports, improving navigational safety and unlocking the economic potential of the sector.

The approval came barely weeks after Online highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria to bridge the gap between its ambitious blue economy agenda and weak maritime infrastructure.

The approvals, granted at the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, cover the procurement of marine pollution control vessels, pilot cutter boats, firefighting vessels and the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the projects formed part of the Federal Government’s strategy to improve port efficiency, strengthen navigational safety and align Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure with international standards.

According to him, the council approved the procurement of two state-of-the-art marine pollution control vessels valued at about N59.05bn to combat plastic pollution, oil spills and other marine waste across Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks and inland waterways.

He said the vessels would enhance environmental protection efforts while improving navigational safety within the country’s maritime domain.

The council also approved the acquisition of six pilot cutter boats worth about N80.03bn to facilitate the safe movement of marine pilots to and from vessels entering Nigerian ports.

Lawal explained that the boats would improve pilotage services, support vessel navigation through port channels and enhance operational efficiency in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority.

To strengthen emergency response capacity, the council equally approved the procurement of two firefighting boats valued at about N34.06bn, equivalent to approximately $16.46m.

According to the minister, the specialised vessels would improve Nigeria’s ability to respond swiftly to fires involving ships, oil terminals, jetties and other critical maritime infrastructure, thereby reducing risks to lives, property and the marine environment.

The largest approval was for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel at a cost of N112.85bn under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement involving the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector operators.

Lawal said the dredging project would improve navigational access to the channel by removing silt and other obstructions, maintaining critical navigational aids and strengthening marine pollution surveillance.

He added that the project was expected to improve vessel turnaround time, increase port efficiency and reinforce Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime and shipping hub in West Africa.

Describing the four projects as strategic investments, the minister said they would deepen maritime safety, protect Nigeria’s coastal ecosystem and stimulate trade and investment within the country’s expanding blue economy.

“The approvals underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to building a modern, safe and environmentally sustainable maritime sector capable of supporting economic growth, facilitating international trade and creating new opportunities across the blue economy value chain,” he said.

The approvals come shortly after PUNCH Online reported from the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, that environmental experts had warned Nigeria’s blue economy ambitions could be undermined by weak ocean governance, deteriorating coastal ecosystems and inadequate maritime infrastructure.

The newspaper also reported Tinubu’s commitment to creating five million ocean-based jobs through investments in the blue economy and stronger maritime governance.