Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep concern over the underutilisation of the Port Harcourt and Onne seaports, warning that the state and Nigeria are losing vast opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and industrial expansion as a result.
Governor Fubara made this position clear on Monday when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Board and Management, led by its Chairman, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt.
The Governor explained that seaports remain vital to economic transformation, stressing that many prosperous nations have leveraged their maritime assets to boost trade, manufacturing, and logistics. He noted that Rivers State, with the advantage of hosting two strategic ports, should ordinarily be an industrial hub, yet its potential is far from being realised.
According to him, “If Onne Port were operating at full capacity, the ripple effects would be massive. Areas such as Eleme and Tai would be transformed through industrial activity, new businesses, and increased employment. A thriving port economy would stimulate clearing and forwarding services, manufacturing, and general commerce across the state.”
Fubara maintained that an optimised port system would reduce logistics costs, attract industries that depend on export and import infrastructure, and ultimately generate higher tax revenues for both the state and federal governments. He emphasised that such growth would create thousands of jobs, curb unemployment-driven crime, and improve living standards in Rivers communities.
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The Governor further highlighted that Rivers State currently enjoys relative peace and stability under his administration, conditions he said are essential for sustained port operations and investor confidence. He contrasted this with other parts of the country where port activities are often disrupted by disputes, noting that Rivers offers smoother collaboration among host communities, the government, and the NPA.
FUBARA Hosts NPA Board, Mgt On Courtesy Visit
On infrastructure, Governor Fubara lamented the deplorable condition of the federal roads leading to both Port Harcourt and Onne ports. He described the dilapidation as a major bottleneck that contributes to flooding, traffic congestion, and delays in cargo movement. While acknowledging that the roads fall under federal responsibility, he assured that his administration would support rehabilitation efforts through improved traffic management, stricter regulation of truck operators, and measures to enforce orderliness around port areas.
In terms of security, Fubara pledged to work with the NPA to establish a police station within the port premises, arguing that insecurity is often linked to unemployment. A fully functional port, he said, would reduce criminal activity by engaging young people productively.
He also frowned at the encroachment of port lands by private individuals, warning that such illegal practices undermine long-term development. He requested detailed reports from the NPA on land encroachment cases to enable the state government to intervene decisively.
The Governor linked much of the flooding around the ports to poor access roads and inadequate drainage systems. He promised that once problem areas were clearly identified, his administration would partner with the NPA to deliver remedial works that would improve access and restore confidence among port users.
Commending the NPA Board for engaging directly with the state government before embarking on intervention projects, Fubara said such collaboration would guarantee sustainability and acceptance by host communities. He urged the Board to move swiftly in revitalising the seaports, stressing that Rivers State is eager to unlock the vast economic benefits they can deliver.
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In his response, the NPA Board Chairman, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, thanked Governor Fubara for his hospitality and pledged the Authority’s commitment to optimising operations at the Port Harcourt and Onne ports. He acknowledged that Nigeria’s coastal states are richly endowed with marine resources capable of driving economic prosperity if fully harnessed.
Senator Clement also appealed for the state government’s support in tackling persistent challenges such as the rehabilitation of port access roads, regulation of truck parking, improvement of environmental sanitation, and strengthening of security through the establishment of a police post within the port precincts.
He assured that the Board is determined to reposition the ports as engines of growth for Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
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