The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola
The Federal Executive Council on Monday approved maritime infrastructure and safety projects worth about N286bn aimed at modernising the country’s ports, improving navigational safety and unlocking the economic potential of the sector.
The approval came barely weeks after PUNCH Online highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria to bridge the gap between its ambitious blue economy agenda and weak maritime infrastructure.
The approvals, granted at the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, cover the procurement of marine pollution control vessels, pilot cutter boats, firefighting vessels and the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was 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 and align Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure with international standards.
