Eastern Ports set for revival as NPA rehabilitates infrastructure — Okezie

Stanley Ihedigbo

Manager, Rivers Port Complex, Mrs. Kenechi Edith Okezie, has reassured stakeholders in the maritime industry that the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has not abandoned the Eastern Ports, stressing that the Federal Government is implementing strategic rehabilitation and modernisation projects to restore their competitiveness.

Okaeze gave the assurance while responding to questions from participants during an interactive session with members of the Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria in Port Harcourt, where she represented Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, at the event.

Addressing concerns raised by some industry stakeholders over the perceived neglect of the Eastern Ports, Okaeze dismissed the claims, insisting that the NPA management remains fully committed to revitalising the ports through ongoing infrastructure upgrades.

“It is not correct to say that management has abandoned the Eastern Ports,” she stated. “As we speak, some of the structures are being rehabilitated. Management has not ignored the Eastern Ports.”

She disclosed that six berths at the Rivers Port Complex have already been reconstructed and reinforced under the ongoing rehabilitation programme, a move aimed at improving operational efficiency, increasing safety standards, and enabling the facility to accommodate larger vessels.

According to her, the Federal Government is also deepening the navigation channels to make the ports more accessible to bigger ships, a development expected to increase cargo throughput, improve shipping activities, and reduce the heavy dependence on transporting imports by road from ports in other parts of the country.

“We know the Eastern Ports have proximity to key markets, which is why the government is making consistent efforts to ensure the ports are rehabilitated and fully functional. This will allow vessels to come directly here and save the cost of transporting goods by road,” she said.

Okaeze noted that restoring the Eastern Ports to full capacity would significantly improve logistics efficiency while reducing the risks, congestion, and infrastructure damage associated with long-distance movement of cargo by road.

She added that the rehabilitation programme forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government and the NPA to unlock the economic potential of the Eastern maritime corridor, attract greater shipping traffic, and promote balanced development of Nigeria’s port system.

Expressing optimism about the future of the ports, the Rivers Port Manager assured stakeholders that the ongoing projects would soon begin to deliver tangible results.

“I must assure you, don’t worry. Very soon, the Eastern Ports will start moving,” she said.

Stakeholders at the interactive session welcomed the assurances and expressed hope that the ongoing investments in infrastructure and channel development would restore confidence among shipping lines, terminal operators, importers, exporters, and other port users, positioning the Eastern Ports once again as major gateways for trade and economic development in Nigeria.