Nigeria Flags Off $3.5bn Bakassi Deep Sea Port Project: A Game-Changer for West Africa’s Maritime Gateway

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced the commencement of construction on a $3.5 billion deep sea port project in Bakassi, Cross River State. The project, set to position Nigeria as a leading maritime gateway in West Africa, has received backing from the federal government. According to Eye Witness News, the project is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure, enhancing its capacity to handle larger vessels and increasing its competitiveness in the region. The Voice of Nigeria reported that the project is a joint venture between the NPA and the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The Splash247 also confirmed the development, stating that the port is expected to handle a throughput of 12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per annum upon completion. The project, however, is not without controversy, as it is located in a disputed territory between Nigeria and Cameroon. Cameroon has previously expressed concerns over Nigeria’s activities in the area, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has yet to rule on the matter. The Nigerian government has assured that the project will be in compliance with international law and will not infringe on Cameroon’s sovereignty.