Marine and Blue Economy Ministry Aims to Boost Eastern Port Traffic with Infrastructure Upgrades The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has announced plans to ramp up vessel traffic to the Eastern ports through strategic infrastructure investments and policy initiatives. This move is part of the ministry’s efforts to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in the Presidential Performance Bond. During the commissioning ceremony of a newly constructed 4.8km road and marine craft at Onne port, Rivers State, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, emphasized the importance of optimizing efficiencies and maximizing the capacity utilization of Eastern ports, including those in Onne, Rivers Warri, and Calabar. Mr. Oyetola highlighted three crucial policy directives aimed at achieving these objectives. Firstly, the introduction of fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, midstream, and deepwater developments is expected to attract significant investments, enhance security measures, and increase domestic gas utilization. Secondly, streamlining the contracting process to a six-month cycle will reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency. Lastly, applying local content requirements without hindering investments or competitiveness aims to foster sustainable development and empower local stakeholders. The minister praised the ISO certification achieved by Onne and Calabar Port Complexes, underscoring the commitment to safety and international standards. He reiterated the ministry’s top priority of creating an enabling environment to attract investors to Eastern ports, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directives. Mr. Oyetola commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its efforts in infrastructure development, including the ongoing $1 billion investment in port reconstruction and rehabilitation. He pledged prompt approvals for initiatives enhancing port performance. In response, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director of NPA, highlighted the positive impact of the new infrastructure on cargo dwell time and revenue generation. The completion of the 4.8km road, particularly linking to new berths and leased port development areas, signifies readiness for growth and competitiveness. Mr. Bello-Koko emphasized the need for additional support, including concrete fencing for security, to safeguard investments and ensure uninterrupted port operations. The concerted efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NPA reflect a commitment to bolstering Eastern port capacities, driving economic growth, and enhancing Nigeria’s maritime sector’s global competitiveness.