In order to tackle the reasons behind the underutilization of ports and other national assets in the eastern region of the country, the Federal Government has pledged to provide the Nigerian Ports Authority, or NPA, with the required support.

Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, revealed the Federal Government’s plans yesterday in Rivers State during his speech at the 4.8 km “D” road project and marine craft commissioning at Onne Complex.

According to Oyetola, the NPA’s constructed road infrastructure and the mooring boats are additional evidence of the ministry’s dedication to maximizing all available prospects in the marine industry.

The minister stated that the Federal Government is working to further improve the security and safety of the maritime area by using the six mooring boats to safely berth and unberth vessels.

Oyetola said: “Although issues concerning the potentials of Onne have always dominated my correspondences with the NPA, I must say that this visit further convinces me that so much more can be achieved if we invest more in our port infrastructure such as we are doing with the over N1billion worth of reconstruction/rehabilitation investment in our ports, including Onne which is at its conclusive stage.

Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director of NPA, acknowledged that the Phase 4B residences represented a sizeable chunk of the Onne Port Complex’s unrealized potential while applauding the Federal Government’s commitment to continuing the revitalization of the zone’s ports.