President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has approved the establishment of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) in Ogun and Oyo States (South-West), aiming to reduce congestion at the Lagos seaports, eliminate chronic delays, boost Nigeria’s economy, and generate job opportunities for the country’s youth.

It was gathered that Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, announced this development during the 2025 budget defense before the Joint Committee of the Senate on Marine Transport and House of Representatives Committees on Ports and Harbour, Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, Inland Waterways, and Shipping Services.

Minister Oyetola acknowledged the maritime sector’s challenges, such as infrastructure decay, silted river courses, inadequate fish production, and insufficient river crafts, while affirming the ministry’s commitment to initiating projects and programs to address these issues.

This strategic move by the Tinubu-led government highlights the administration’s focus on promoting economic growth and creating job opportunities for the Nigerian youth, particularly in the maritime and logistics sectors.

The establishment of these inland dry ports is expected to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s overall development and strengthen its position as a regional hub for trade and commerce.

Minister Oyetola emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to building upon the progress made last year by prioritizing port infrastructure development, boosting fish production, enhancing maritime safety and security, leveraging information technology to improve operations and revenue generation, investing in human capacity building, and promoting effective technical and economic regulation for a robust blue economy across Nigeria.

Under the 2024 appropriation, Oyetola outlined the ministry’s achievements, including the finalization of key policy documents such as Nigeria’s National Blue Economy Strategy, Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, Strategic Roadmap for Nigeria’s Blue Economy, and the National Policy for Marine and Blue Economy.

These strategic frameworks, according to the minister, serve as a solid foundation for the ministry’s policy-making endeavors.

He noted: “I feel greatly honoured to address the Joint Committee of the Senate on Marine Transport and House Committees on Ports and Harbour, Marine Safety, Education and Administration: Inland Waterways and Committee on Shipping Services on the occasion of 2025 Budget Defence.

“Today’s Budget Defence is in respect of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the laying of the Government Owned Enterprises (GOE’s) budget before you which includes the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron and Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.

Author

Write A Comment