$7bn Ogun Seaport: Ewenla Urges FG to Revive Eastern, South-South Ports Before New Projects

…PDP Chieftain Urges FG to Modernise Existing Ports, Spread Economic Opportunities

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, Dr. Adedipe Ewenla, has questioned the Federal Government’s maritime development strategy following the signing of agreements for the proposed $7 billion-plus Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun State.

Ewenla, who is the PDP South-West Ex-officio, said he welcomed the proposed investment in Ogun State but expressed concern over what he described as the need for a balanced national maritime development strategy.

The Ogun State Government and DP World signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Paris on September 24 for the development of the Gateway Deep Seaport and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.

The Presidency said the projects are expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and create over 50,000 direct jobs.

The proposed Gateway Deep Seaport, according to the Presidency, is expected to have a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft, with the Federal Government projecting that it would help decongest the Lagos port corridor and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime economy.

However, Ewenla asked the Federal Government to explain the plans for existing ports, particularly those in the South-East and South-South regions.

He specifically raised concerns about the Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri and Calabar ports, arguing that their infrastructure and connectivity should receive similar attention as new maritime projects.

According to him, the Federal Government should urgently rehabilitate, dredge and modernise existing ports to enable them to contribute more effectively to the national economy.

The Nigerian Ports Authority has said its port modernisation programme covers major facilities including Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar, with plans involving infrastructure renewal, channel deepening and improvements in cargo-handling capacity.

The Federal Government also said in April 2026 that procurement processes were underway for the modernisation of Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar ports, alongside upgrades to Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

Ewenla also drew attention to the proposed Azumini Obeaku Seaport and Inland Waterways Corridor in Abia State, saying the project could provide an additional maritime gateway for the South-East.

He questioned why, in his view, the Federal Government could move quickly on new port investments but had not demonstrated similar urgency in restoring and fully utilising existing ports.

The PDP chieftain further raised concerns about what he described as the concentration of major maritime investments around the Lagos-Ogun corridor, citing the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the proposed Badagry Deep Seaport and the Gateway Deep Seaport.

He said the issue should not be interpreted as opposition to development in Ogun or Lagos, but as a call for what he described as equitable distribution of infrastructure and economic opportunities across the country.

On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Ewenla called for transparency, accountability and value for money in the implementation of major infrastructure projects.

He also said Nigerians should be able to scrutinise the economic, security and infrastructure records of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ewenla said his concerns were not based on ethnic considerations, stressing that he would support development projects in Lagos, Ogun, the South-East, South-South and other parts of Nigeria.

He called on the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive national maritime strategy with clear timelines for the rehabilitation of existing ports, improved road and rail connectivity, increased cargo movement to Eastern ports and greater private-sector participation.

According to him, Nigeria should develop multiple competitive maritime gateways rather than depend heavily on one geographical corridor.

Ewenla said the broader debate should centre on accountability, security, economic relief and balanced national development, urging Nigerians to examine the records of the Tinubu administration and make informed decisions at the 2027 polls.