South East Seaport: Igbo Community Demands Immediate Action on Maritime Infrastructure

BY MOHAMMED DANBABA

ABUJA – The Igbo Community Association (ICA), the apex socio-cultural body representing the Igbo people in the Federal Capital Territory, has issued a strong call for the urgent establishment of a South East seaport, describing the region’s exclusion from Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure as a case of economic sabotage.

South East Seaport: A Necessity, Not a Luxury

The ICA stressed that the absence of a functional South East seaport has significantly hindered business expansion, inflated operational costs, and subjected millions of traders and entrepreneurs to undue hardship.

In a press statement, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, the ICA President General, urged the Federal Government to prioritize the construction of a seaport in the South East, citing it as an essential step towards addressing long-standing economic marginalization.

Maritime Imbalance: The South East’s Economic Disadvantage

Nigeria currently has six officially recognized seaports under the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), but only two, both located in Lagos, are fully operational. According to ICA, this creates an economic imbalance, unfairly burdening businesses in the South East with excessive fees and logistical challenges, particularly along the Lagos-Onitsha trade corridor.

The ICA specifically called for the revival of two strategic seaport projects:

• Obeaku Ndoki Port in Abia State
• Oseakwa Seaport in Anambra State

The Oseakwa Seaport, situated along the Oseakwa River in Ihiala Local Government Area, was once a significant maritime hub during the colonial era. The ICA emphasized that reviving this port has the potential to revolutionize trade and commerce in the region.

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Economic Benefits of a South East Seaport

Seaport Development: A National Economic Win

Beyond regional benefits, the ICA stressed that developing a seaport in the South East would contribute to national economic growth. The move would create jobs, attract foreign investment, and enhance Nigeria’s standing in global trade.

“We are not asking for favors,” the ICA stated. “We are asking for fairness. A South East seaport will serve the entire country by fostering economic diversification and reducing the pressure on Lagos ports.”

The ICA outlined several advantages of establishing a South East seaport, including:

• Reducing Congestion at Lagos Ports: A functional seaport in the South East would alleviate the overwhelming traffic at Lagos ports, improving efficiency in the maritime sector.
• Lowering Transportation Costs: Businesses in the region would no longer have to incur high costs associated with transporting goods from Lagos.
• Boosting Industrialization: A seaport would stimulate industrial growth, attract investments, and create thousands of jobs in the region.
• Enhancing Regional Trade: With improved maritime infrastructure, the South East would solidify its position as a commercial powerhouse, benefiting both local and international trade.

Call to Action: Lawmakers Urged to Prioritize the South East Seaport

The ICA commended Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for his efforts in advancing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) but urged him to make the establishment of a South East seaport his next landmark achievement.

The association also called on federal lawmakers from the South East to unite and advocate for infrastructural equity, ensuring the region gets its fair share of Nigeria’s maritime investments.

ICA’s Message to the Federal Government

In its concluding statement, the ICA reinforced its appeal, stating:

“The Igbo Community in Abuja has immense confidence in our Deputy Speaker. He has demonstrated excellence in his role and has a deep understanding of legislative intricacies. We urge him to prioritize the establishment of a South East seaport, which would not only benefit the region but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.

“With the successful establishment of the South East Development Commission, securing a seaport should be the next milestone. The time to act is now.”

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Dayo Adesulu, online editor, SEO expert.