Ijaw Youth Council Advocates for Niger Delta Ports in National Maritime Strategy
In a significant move following the recent agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom to modernize the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has issued a compelling call for the strategic inclusion of Niger Delta ports in the national maritime development agenda. The umbrella organization representing Ijaw youths commended President Bola Tinubu's initiatives to upgrade Nigeria's port infrastructure but stressed the critical need for fairness, equity, and adherence to federal character principles in the allocation of national assets.
Call for Development of Key Ports
In a statement officially signed by Binebai Princewill, the IYC explicitly demanded the development, rehabilitation, and operationalization of several key ports located within the Niger Delta region. These ports include Burutu, Warri, Onne, Sapele, Bonny, Koko, Brass, Agge Deep Seaport, and Gelegele Seaport. The council emphasized that these facilities are not only historically significant but also offer strategic advantages for enhancing trade, improving logistics, and fostering industrial expansion across Nigeria.
Benefits of Balanced Development
The IYC highlighted that a balanced approach to port development across all geopolitical zones would yield multiple benefits. Specifically, it would help decongest the overburdened ports in Lagos, stimulate broader economic growth, create substantial job opportunities, enhance national security, and promote regional industrialization. The council urged President Tinubu to ensure that ongoing and future port development projects reflect true national balance, calling on relevant government agencies to initiate feasibility assessments and establish partnership frameworks for reviving these vital maritime assets.
Statement from the IYC
The statement from the IYC reads: "The Ijaw nation, which has contributed immensely to Nigeria's economic survival, particularly through oil and gas resources, deserves equitable access to infrastructure that will further unlock its economic potential. We therefore urge President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship by ensuring that ongoing and future port development projects reflect true national balance. The principle of federal character must not be theoretical; it must be visible in tangible projects that impact the lives of all Nigerians."
Concerns Over Regional Imbalance
The group expressed serious concerns about the current concentration of port development in Lagos State, which reportedly involves investments valued at over N1.3 trillion. According to the IYC, this disproportionate focus raises issues of regional imbalance and economic exclusion. They argued that Nigeria, as a federation, must prioritize inclusivity across all geopolitical zones in its development strategies. The continued centralization of port infrastructure in Lagos not only places undue pressure on existing facilities but also sidelines historically significant and economically viable ports across the Niger Delta and Ijaw territories.
In conclusion, the IYC's appeal underscores a broader call for equitable resource distribution and infrastructure development, aiming to harness the full economic potential of Nigeria's diverse regions while adhering to principles of federal character and national unity.
