SEREC Calls For Presidential Backing To Revamp Eastern Ports

SEREC Calls For Presidential Backing To Revamp Eastern Ports

By Fr

Fwdr Dr Eugene Nweke Head Research SEREC

ank Odinukaeze

The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the revitalization of Nigeria’s Eastern ports, stressing that presidential endorsement is crucial to unlock their full economic potential.

In a bulletin released on Monday, SEREC commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its recent investments and modernization efforts but noted that challenges in the Eastern corridor remain largely unresolved.

The NPA has recorded key milestones, including concessions and build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangements with private investors, the establishment of independent power plants to boost port efficiency, and the completion of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project.

Notably, the Authority reported a 77 percent revenue surge in 2024, generating ₦758.26 billion. It has also embarked on a $1 billion modernization program covering TinCan, Apapa, Rivers, and Delta ports, while enhancing maritime security in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, and the Port Police Command.

Despite these gains, Eastern ports are still plagued by insecurity, shallow channel depths that limit access to large vessels, dilapidated berths, and poor road infrastructure that hampers cargo evacuation.

SEREC emphasized that the right political will could overcome these obstacles, pointing to the stalled Oguta River Port project in Imo State as a prime example. The project, currently 61 percent complete, has been halted due to funding issues. If completed, it could handle 35 percent of Nigeria’s maritime trade, create more than two million jobs, and drive economic growth in the South East.

According to Eastern traders, over 30 percent of imports through Lagos ports are re-transported to the East, inflating logistics costs. SEREC therefore urged the South East Development Commission to prioritize inland waterways and port development as part of regional growth strategies.

The group outlined several recommendations, including:

Heavy investments in infrastructure such as roads, railways, and port facilities.

Improved security across waterways and port environments.

Streamlined operations to cut down the number of agencies at ports.

Stronger public-private partnerships to drive efficiency and attract capital.

SEREC called on South East governors to unite in pursuit of a holistic strategy for port and transport development. The group maintained that addressing these challenges would not only decongest Lagos ports but also position Eastern ports to participate actively in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

“We appeal to the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority and to Mr. President, in the spirit of renewed hope, to reconsider policy prioritization for the Eastern ports,” the statement signed by SEREC’s Head of Research ,Fwdr Eugene Nweke, concluded.