Niger Delta Youths Demand Revival of Regional Ports in Response to Tinubu’s Ibom Deep Seaport Approval

In a move that has sparked conversations across the Nigerian maritime industry, the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom. However, the youth forum has also demanded the revival of regional ports across the Niger Delta region. According to THISDAYLIVE, the NDENYLF believes that the revival of these ports is crucial for the economic growth and development of the Niger Delta region.

The youth forum’s call for the revival of regional ports comes at a time when the Ibom Deep Seaport project is set to significantly boost Akwa Ibom’s economy and position the state as a major maritime hub in West Africa. The Ibom Deep Seaport, which is expected to be operational by 2029, will have a capacity of 2.5 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and is estimated to cost around $2 billion.

The NDENYLF’s demand for the revival of regional ports is aimed at ensuring that the benefits of the Ibom Deep Seaport are not limited to Akwa Ibom but are shared across the Niger Delta region. The youth forum argues that the revival of these ports will create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce the dependence on oil revenues in the region. The NDENYLF has also called on the federal government to provide the necessary support and funding for the revival of these ports.

The call for the revival of regional ports by the NDENYLF is a timely reminder of the potential of the maritime sector in Nigeria’s economic development. The revival of these ports will not only boost the economy of the Niger Delta region but will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth across the country. The federal government’s response to the NDENYLF’s demand will be closely watched as it will provide insight into the government’s commitment to the development of the maritime sector in Nigeria.