Fubara: Moribund seaports hampering job growth, investments

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says his state and nation are losing jobs, investments and industrial opportunities due to the “under-utilisation of the Port Harcourt and Onne seaports”.

The governor spoke on Monday, through Nelson Chukwudi, his chief press secretary, when he received Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) board, alongside members of management, at the government house in Port Harcourt.

Fubara said seaports are “critical to national development, adding that many prosperous countries leverage” world-class ports and airports to strengthen their economies.

He said despite Rivers hosting two major ports, their potential remains “largely untapped”.

The governor added that if Onne port were operating at full capacity, areas such as Eleme and Tai would experience rapid transformation.

He said such development would create jobs, boost manufacturing, expand clearing and forwarding services, and stimulate economic activity across the state.

Fubara maintained that maximising the ports would reduce logistics costs, strengthen investor confidence, and attract industries that depend on proximity to export facilities.

He said the growth would translate into employment, business expansion and improved tax revenues.

The governor said Rivers is unlike other states where port operations are often disrupted by community disputes.

He added that cooperation among host communities, the government and the NPA, has made the state more attractive for investment.

Fubara, however, described the state of federal roads leading to the ports as a “major problem”.

He said the dilapidated roads have worsened flooding and traffic congestion and called on the federal government to prioritise their rehabilitation.

While noting that the roads fall under federal jurisdiction, Fubara said his administration would complement such efforts with traffic management, regulation of truck drivers, and enforcement of order around port areas.

The governor also pledged to enhance security at the ports by facilitating the establishment of a police station within the facilities.

He said insecurity is linked to unemployment and that a functional port system would reduce crime by providing alternatives for young people.

Fubara warned against encroachment of port lands by private individuals, saying it undermines future development.

He asked the NPA to submit reports of such encroachment to enable the state to intervene.

The governor linked flooding in port areas to poor access roads and inadequate drainage, promising to collaborate with the NPA once problem spots are identified.

Fubara commended the NPA board for engaging with the state government before launching intervention projects, adding that such collaboration would promote sustainability and community buy-in.

He urged the board to seize the opportunity to revitalise the seaports so that they can drive real economic growth.