The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved maritime infrastructure and safety projects worth about N286 billion, including the dredging of the Escravos Channel and the acquisition of marine pollution control vessels, pilot cutter boats and firefighting craft, as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s ports and unlock the country’s blue economy.
The approvals were granted at the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the projects formed part of the Federal Government’s strategy to improve port efficiency, strengthen navigational safety, protect the marine environment and align Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure with global standards.
Lawal said Council approved the procurement of two state-of-the-art marine pollution control vessels at a cost of about N59.05 billion to combat plastic pollution, oil spills and other marine waste across Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks and inland waterways.
He said the vessels would bolster environmental protection while improving navigational safety across the country’s maritime domain. FEC also approved the acquisition of six pilot cutter boats valued at about N80.03 billion to facilitate the safe transfer of marine pilots to and from vessels calling at Nigerian ports.
According to the minister, the boats will strengthen pilotage services, support the safe navigation of vessels through port channels and improve operational efficiency in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority. To enhance emergency response capability, the Council equally approved the procurement of two firefighting boats worth about N34.06 billion (approximately $16.46 million).
Lawal said the specialised vessels would enable faster responses to fires involving ships, oil terminals, jetties and other critical maritime infrastructure, reducing risks to lives, property and the environment. The largest approval was for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel, valued at N112.85 billion, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement between the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector operators.
He said the project would improve navigational access to the channel by removing silt and other obstructions, maintaining critical navigational aids and strengthening marine pollution surveillance. The dredging is also expected to reduce vessel turnaround time, improve port efficiency and reinforce Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime and shipping hub in West Africa.