Nigeria: Federal Government to Develop Deep Seaports

The Federal Government has unveiled plan to develop a number of deep seaports to ease the pressure on existing ports facilities in the country.

Assurance to this effect came recently in keynote address by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, as the three-day 12th Maritime Seminar for Judges opened in Abuja, according to pmnewsnigeria.com.

“There is equally great potential in the development of Olokola Deep Seaport in Ogun and Ondo states,” Umar said.

“The government was also committed to the dredging of the Calabar Channel, Cross River State, adding that the contract for the dredging will be awarded this year,” added Umar.

The minister said the development of Koko Port in Delta State “is sine qua non to the realisation of the gas revolution in the country.”

Umar also stated that it was quite commendable that the maritime seminar for judges had received international acclaim and acknowledgment.

“This enduring partnership between the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the National Judicial Institute had become a veritable forum for updating the knowledge of our judges and lawyers on contemporary and sometimes recondite issues of admiralty law,” the minister concluded.

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World Maritime News Staff, June 11, 2012; Image: Lekki Port