Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has called on the federal government to revive the Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu seaports to unlock the state’s economic potential as Nigeria’s maritime hub.
The governor made the call when the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, led by its Chairman, Sen. Adedayo Adeleye called on him at Government House, Asaba, on Monday.
Oborevwori assured him of his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the federal government to effectively revive the four seaports in the state to unlock the full economic potentials.
He insisted that the revitalization of the ports would create jobs, attract investments, and boost national revenue.
The governor said: “Delta state is strategically blessed with four seaports. If these ports are revived, they will create massive employment, stimulate trade, and strengthen the economy of Delta and Nigeria.
“It is often more impactful to modernize existing ports than to build new ones.”
He lauded the NPA for its modernization efforts but appealed for urgent dredging of the Warri Channel and the rehabilitation of Warri and Koko port facilities, stressing that such interventions needed to be treated as national priorities.
The governor said that Delta was working closely with the federal government to tackle critical infrastructural challenges.
According to him, these collaborations are already yielding results.
“The Federal Government has awarded the Summit Junction–Bridge head section of the Benin-Asaba Highway to Heartland Construction Company while the State Government has awarded a section of the Sapele–Warri Road project to CCECC at a cost of N35 billion.
“This is a clear demonstration of the positive relationship between the state and the centre,” he stated.
Oborevwori assured potential investors of improved security in the state, noting that oil installations were no longer under frequent attacks and that the environment was now peaceful for business.
He said that the state had enacted a law against the collection of illegal levies and harassment of companies to protect investments.
He, however, urged companies operating in the state to honour their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with host communities by engaging local people, which was key to sustaining harmony.
NAN/Shakirat Sadiq