In a continued push to encourage port concessionaires and terminal operators to increase investments in port infrastructure, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, conducted an operational and investment tour of Onne and Rivers ports on December 4th and 5th, 2024. This visit follows his earlier inspection of Lagos Ports, including Apapa and Tin Can, on November 27th, 2024. These tours underscore the administration’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in vessel and cargo traffic, aligning with the needs of the country’s population of over 200 million.
During the tour, Dantsoho visited several key facilities, including Intels, the West African Container Terminal (WACT), Brawal, Onne Multipurpose Terminal, Indorama, and Notore.
Addressing stakeholders, he emphasized the urgency of ramping up investments to keep pace with maritime competitors along the West and Central African coasts. “With the quantum of investments our maritime neighbors are attracting, we can only stay competitive if we redouble our investment drive. This is crucial to providing the infrastructure and equipment needed to handle vessels that will scale up our cargo throughput and meet the demands of our population,” he said.
Dantsoho reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to driving increased investments under the directive of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
He urged investors to capitalize on the current administration’s business-friendly policies under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring them of favorable returns on their investments.
“The reality of Nigerian ports processing two million containers of cargo to serve over 200 million people is an anomaly that must be urgently addressed through significant investments,” he noted.
The NPA MD’s engagement with port operators and stakeholders signals a renewed determination to transform Nigerian ports into hubs capable of accommodating larger vessels and greater cargo volumes, ensuring they remain competitive in the global maritime industry.
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