APC Justifies $1 Billion Ports Refurbishment as Nationwide Maritime Modernisation Effort

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the Federal Government’s $1 billion investment in Lagos ports, describing it as a strategic initiative to modernise Nigeria’s entire maritime sector and attract international investors.

APC spokesman Seye Oladejo issued the statement on Tuesday, countering opposition claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was favouring Lagos while neglecting ports in Warri, Calabar, Onne, and Port Harcourt.

“This reckless statement only exposes, yet again, the opposition’s chronic ignorance of basic economics and governance,” Oladejo said.

“The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is not ‘neglecting’ any port. It is not a Lagos project, it is a Nigeria project, attracting foreign direct investment from China Harbour Engineering Company and Singapore’s Tolaram Group, both of whom saw in President Tinubu’s vision a business environment worth their billions.”

He added that the administration is also implementing projects across other ports, including modernising Onne Port with upgraded equipment and digital systems, dredging Calabar Port to allow larger vessels, rehabilitating Port Harcourt Port under a new concession framework, and expanding Warri Port with integrated rail links to improve inland cargo movement.

“But of course, the opposition wouldn’t know this, they’re too busy tweeting ignorance and recycling talking points from the political dustbin,” Oladejo said.

Highlighting the Lagos investment, he stressed that the funds aim to create jobs, boost exports, and tackle inefficiencies that have historically made Nigerian ports among the most expensive in Africa.

He cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the country’s first fully automated port, as a model that is improving turnaround times and generating revenue.

“It is the kind of progress that threatens those whose only skill in politics is complaining without contributing. The only sabotage here is the opposition’s attempt to weaponise regional sentiments against national progress,” he said.

Oladejo emphasised that Tinubu’s development agenda is national and inclusive, adding: “Governance is driven by strategy, not sentiment. Tinubu and the APC remain focused on building a Nigeria that works, one port, one project, and one policy at a time.”