The Rivers State Government, South-South Nigeria, has called for the full utilisation of the Port Harcourt and Onne seaports, highlighting their potential to unlock jobs, attract investments, and drive industrial growth for both the state and the nation.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara made this known when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Board and Management, led by its Chairman, Adeyeye Clement, on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He emphasised that seaports are essential to national development, pointing out that many prosperous nations have relied on world-class ports and airports to power their economies. He noted that despite Rivers State’s strategic advantage of hosting two major ports, its potential remains untapped.
Today, I hosted members of the Nigerian Ports Authority Board and Management on a courtesy visit.
I urged the NPA team to optimise the Port Harcourt and Onne Ports to create more jobs, increase economic activity and strengthen Rivers State’s position in Nigeria’s ease of doing… pic.twitter.com/yJQS82xISM
— Siminalayi Fubara (@SimFubaraKSC) September 22, 2025
Fubara explained that if Onne Port were operating at full capacity, the ripple effects on the surrounding areas, such as Eleme and Tai, would be transformative.
According to him, such a development would drive employment, stimulate manufacturing, expand clearing and forwarding services, and boost economic activity across the state.
The Governor maintained that maximising the ports would lower logistics costs, strengthen investor confidence, and attract industries that rely on proximity to export facilities. He added that the resulting growth would cut across job creation, business expansion, and increased tax revenues.
Fubara also pointed out that Rivers State enjoys a relatively peaceful environment, particularly under his administration, which has worked to foster stability and attract investments.
On infrastructure, the governor emphasised the need to upgrade federal roads leading to the ports, noting that their rehabilitation would ease traffic and enhance access for smoother economic activities.
While recognising that such roads fall under federal jurisdiction, he assured that his administration would complement federal efforts through improved traffic management and better regulation of truck drivers.
He further pledged to strengthen security in the port environment by facilitating the establishment of a police station within the facilities.
Fubara condemned the encroachment of port lands by private individuals, warning that such practices undermine future development.
He requested that the NPA provide comprehensive reports of such encroachment so the state government could intervene appropriately.
The Governor commended the NPA Board for engaging with the state government before embarking on intervention projects, noting that such collaboration would ensure sustainability and community acceptance.
He urged the Board to seize the current moment to revitalise the seaports so that they could become genuine engines of growth rather than neglected facilities.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Board, Adeyeye Clement, thanked Governor Fubara for his warm reception. Describing Nigeria’s littoral states as richly endowed with marine assets that can drive economic prosperity, he assured that the NPA Board was committed to optimising operations at the Port Harcourt and Onne ports.