Former Governorof Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, has called for the decentralization of Ports inthe country.
Mr Obi made the call in a statement posted on his official X handle on Friday.
He noted that the decentralisation of the ports would reduce congestion, improve logistics,enhance national security, and promote balanced economic growth.
Lamenting that more than 70 per cent of port activities are still concentrated in Lagos, Obi stated that such arrangement burdens the city with chronic congestion, high demurrage costs, environmental degradation, and delays that discourages investors and inflates the cost of goods nationwide.
“Developing other ports is, therefore, not merely an infrastructural necessity but anational imperative. Revitalising Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne would decongest Lagos, reduce shipping costs, attract investment, create employment,and stimulate regional economies.
“As one who understands the critical link between infrastructure, trade, and national growth, I believe that a truly national blue economy must carry every region along.
“Beyond physical infrastructure, reform must also address corruption, reduce bureaucracy, and embrace technology to create a seamless, paperless port systemthat enhances turnaround time and global competitiveness,” he noted.
The business mogul cum politician spoke in response to the Federal Government’s recent approval of$1 billion (₦1.5 trillion) for the modernisation of the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos.
He said if prudently managed, the Lagos modernisation project could become a model for broadermaritime transformation — a reference point from which similar developmentradiates across the nation.
“…this development once again exposes a longstanding concentration of our portdevelopment only in Lagos. Nigeria’s infrastructure investment remains excessively concentrated in Lagos, often at the expense of other strategic ports such as Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne.
“If fullydeveloped, these ports could enhance productivity, drive trade, create jobs,and open new economic corridors that would lift millions out of poverty acrossthe federation,” he added.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, submitted thatNigeria must rebuild with fairness, guided by equity, integrity, and a clearvision to transform the nation from one of consumption to one of production and shared prosperity.
Chronicling the countries that have done well by decentralizing their ports, he said: “Around the world, countries that have decentralised port development are reaping immense economic benefits.
“Vietnam operates over 300 ports — from Haiphong inthe north to Da Nang in the centre and Ho Chi Minh City in the south — ensuringnationwide connectivity.
“Indonesiaboasts about 111 commercial ports distributed across its territory to guaranteebalanced access to trade. South Africa maintains eight major seaports — from Durban and Richards Bay on the Indian Ocean to Cape Town and Saldanha Bay onthe Atlantic — reflecting a vision of maritime inclusion.
“Egypt runsabout 15 commercial ports along both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea coasts;Morocco has about 14 ports open to international trade, including Casablanca,Tangier Med, and Agadir, distributed along its Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines; and Algeria operates about 10 commercial ports spread across itsextensive Mediterranean coast.
“Even Ghana,with only two major ports — Tema and Takoradi — ensured they are geographicallydecentralised on opposite ends of its coastline.
“These nationshave grasped a simple truth: no country seeking to maximise its blue economyconcentrates all maritime activities in a single city.”
