Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has made a strong case for new investments, especially in port infrastructure and modern equipment in order to boost both regional and global competitiveness of the country’s seaports.

The Managing Director, who spoke earlier in the week when he undertook a working and inspection visit of the Onne and Rivers Ports Complexes, both in Rivers State, observed that the country’s neighbours’ seaports in the West and Central African region are making huge investments, adding that replicating such investments in Nigeria remains the only viable way for the seaports to remain competitive in the region.

He therefore urged port concessionaires and terminal operators, especially within the Eastern Port flanks to increase their in-country investments in port infrastructure and equipment on a sustainable basis in order to remain competitive not only within the region but also across the globe.

 “With the level of investments our maritime neighbours, especially along the West and Central African coast are attracting, we can only stay competitive if we redouble our investment efforts. Providing the requisite infrastructure and equipment to accommodate larger vessels is essential for scaling up cargo throughput to adequately serve our vast population.

“This management of the NPA under my watch is committed to the mandate given by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola to create enabling environment for increased investment. We are determined to deliver on this mandate”, the Managing Director, who was recently elected the first Nigerian President of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa PMAWCA said.

The visit to Onne and Rivers Ports Complexes is a continuation of an earlier tour of Lagos Ports and Tin Can Island Ports Complexes both in Apapa on November 27, 2024, which underscores the determination of the current management of the NPA to boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in vessel and cargo traffic to meet the demands of its growing population presently estimated at over 200 million people.

Terminals visited under during the Onne and Rivers Ports Complexes visit include the BRAWAL Oil Services Ltd, Onne Multipurpose Terminal, INTELS, INDORAMA, West African Container Terminal WACT, NOTORE, and other terminals at Rivers Port Complex in Port Harcourt.

The NPA-boss, who took out time to x-ray the vast investment potential in Nigeria’s rich marine and blue economy, noted that the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu is doing everything possible to make the country a safe haven for investments.

He said: “I therefore urge investors to maximise the investor-friendly policies of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Increased investment is assured of guaranteed returns.

“The reality of Nigeria’s seaports handling only two million containers to serve a population of over 200 million people is an anomaly that must be urgently addressed through significant investments and the port industry as presently constituted is well ready to accommodate more investments both foreign and local.”