Warri, Onne, Other Key Ports Left Out of 2025 Budget

The Federal Government’s 2025 budget proposal has raised concerns within the maritime sector, with no allocations for the rehabilitation of key seaport facilities, including Tin Can Island, Apapa, Onne, Warri, and Calabar. Instead, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy received N38.33 billion, with critical infrastructure projects left unfunded.

The budget includes N90 million for the Ministry’s anniversaries and celebrations, N333.6 million for motor vehicles, and N122.2 million for office building rehabilitation. However, no funds have been allocated for port repairs, despite the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades.

Only N10 million has been set aside for the port modernization program, and N21.8 million for the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage Act) and the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Warri Sentinel learnt.

The government’s failure to address the deteriorating state of major seaports is a growing concern. Former NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko, stressed that Tin Can and Apapa ports, which handle 70% of Nigeria’s imports, are in urgent need of repair. Festus Nwiue, Managing Director of Shipbait Nigeria Limited, joined in call for the ports to be prioritized, noting the safety risks posed by the infrastructure’s decline.

While the budget allocates N1.09 billion for dry ports in Ijebu-Ode and Moniya and N1.5 billion for a fish terminal and harbor, stakeholders argue these investments should not overshadow the pressing need for port rehabilitation. Taiwo Fatomilola of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) criticized the focus on celebrations, calling for more funds to improve port infrastructure and reduce congestion.