News

Port modernisation remains a priority – FG

Published

12 months ago

February 14, 2025

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, says the modernisation of seaports remains a top priority for the Federal Government.

Oyetola said this in Lagos, yesterday, at an interactive session with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

The minister recalled that the Federal Executive Council last week approved the award of contract for the modernisation of the Western Ports (Lagos Port Complex, Apapa & Tin-Can Island Ports Complex) with a completion period of 48 months.

According to him, the procurement process for the modernisation of the Eastern Ports is being fast-tracked.

“The goal is to ensure that our port system collectively becomes the transhipment hub for the sub-region. When the modernisation is completed, the draft of our port will be 16 metres to 17 metres.

“It (draft) is currently 12 metres to 13 metres. This will allow bigger vessels to berth and reverse the revenue loss to neighbouring ports of Tema, Lome and Cotonou.

“These port rehabilitation projects by NPA are expected to generate over 20,000 jobs,’’ the minister said.

He, however, said that to bridge the infrastructure gap, the ministry is promoting Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to attract private sector investment in port modernisation and channel dredging.

Oyetola said that such investment could also include areas like automation, inland waterways development, ferry/cruise services, cargo handling equipment deployment, terminal operations, and technological innovation.

He said; “Additionally, we are extending necessary support to private investors to encourage participation in greenfield port projects such as Badagry, Ilaje, Olokola, Agge, Ibaka, Burutu, Snake Island, Bakassi, Deep Sea Ports as well as the development of river ports and jetties across the country.’’

The minister said that ?Inland Dry Ports were also being developed across the country to enhance trade facilitation.

He explained that these ports served as cargo handling and clearance hubs, improving logistics efficiency and easing access to international markets.

Oyetola noted that in furtherance of Nigeria’s improved international posture in world maritime governance, the country had proposed a bid to contest election into the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council.

According to him, Nigeria will be contesting in Category C during the 34th IMO Assembly, scheduled to hold in London between November and December.

He said that President Bola Tinubu had approved it and the IMO had been duly notified, while the ministry had begun the preparatory processes.

“?The ministry, in concert with its agencies, has also constituted a National Fleet Implementation Committee to establish a private-sector-led national flag carrier.

“This initiative aims to create employment, reposition the maritime sector and generate revenue for the government,’’ Oyetola said.

?The minister stated that in concert with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the ministry had engaged stakeholders to finalise arrangements for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

“NIMASA is working on this and has almost completed the process,’’ he said.

The minister noted that the ministry and its agencies worked as a team to deliver on the lofty mandates given and had recorded significant achievements.

“The vision is for the ministry to ensure that the country’s marine resources are harnessed sustainably to position Nigeria as a premier maritime nation. .

?“In partnership with African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Kingdom of Norway, we have concluded the development of Nigeria’s National Blue Economy Strategy document.

“Also, with the support of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and WorldFish, we have finalised the Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy,’’ he said.

The President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba, said the ministry had the potential for sustainable development, job creation and economic growth of the nation.

Anaba said that as gate keepers, editors played crucial roles in shaping public discourse.

He was optimistic that the interactive session would come up with innovative solutions that would propel the marine industry forward.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.