The Ijaw Youth Congress Worldwide has called on the Federal Government to urgently prioritise the development, rehabilitation, and full operationalisation of key ports within the Niger Delta region.
According to the IYC, these ports include Burutu, Warri, Sapele, and Koko in Delta State; Onne and Bonny in Rivers State; Brass and Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa State; and Gelegele Seaport in Edo State.
The statement, signed by IYC spokesman Binebai Princewill and made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday night, noted that the Congress “has taken note of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to modernise Nigeria’s port infrastructure, particularly the recent multi-billion naira investments concentrated in Lagos,” and commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to economic growth and infrastructural renewal.
However, the IYC called for fairness, equity, and adherence to the principle of federal character in the distribution of critical national assets.
“Nigeria’s maritime development must not be disproportionately concentrated in Lagos State alone,” it said, adding that “continued centralisation of port infrastructure in Lagos not only places undue pressure on existing facilities but also sidelines historically significant and economically viable ports across the Niger Delta and Ijaw territories.”
The Congress stressed that these ports are historically relevant and naturally endowed with strategic coastal and riverine advantages, including deep natural channels, proximity to international shipping routes, and access to Nigeria’s oil and gas corridors.
“Their locations position them as critical gateways for trade, logistics, and industrial expansion,” the statement said, urging the Federal Government to revive and fully harness these ports for national economic growth.
The IYC also highlighted concerns over regional imbalance, noting that Lagos port investments—reportedly exceeding ₦1.3 trillion—risked economic exclusion and ethnic tensions.
“Nigeria is a federation, and its development must reflect inclusivity across all geopolitical zones,” the statement read.
It called on the government to engage local stakeholders in the Niger Delta, including host communities in Ijaw areas, ensuring that development is participatory and locally inclusive.
According to the IYC, revitalising Niger Delta ports will decongest Lagos ports, improve national logistics efficiency, stimulate local economies, create employment for thousands of youths, enhance maritime security, and promote industrialisation and export diversification.
“The Ijaw nation, which has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economic survival—particularly through oil and gas resources—deserves equitable access to infrastructure that will further unlock its economic potential,” the Congress said.
The IYC urged President Tinubu to ensure that ongoing and future port development projects reflect true national balance and that the principle of federal character is translated into tangible infrastructure benefiting all Nigerians.
The statement also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to commence feasibility studies, dredging operations, and public-private partnership frameworks to revive these critical maritime assets.
“Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable economic growth while neglecting regions that historically formed the backbone of its maritime economy. The time has come to correct this imbalance and build a truly inclusive port system,” the IYC concluded, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement for justice, equity, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
