Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has pitched the proposed Agge Deep Seaport as a transformative investment opportunity capable of reshaping Nigeria’s maritime economy and unlocking new value across the oil, gas, and logistics sectors.
Speaking at the 1st International Deep Seaport Investment Forum, IDSIF 2026 in Lagos, Diri said the project represents more than infrastructure, describing it as “a compelling commercial opportunity capable of transforming trade, logistics, and industrial growth across the Niger Delta and beyond.”
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, urged global investors and development partners to take advantage of the project’s strategic positioning along the Gulf of Guinea.
“The Agge Deep Seaport offers natural deep-draft conditions, proximity to international shipping routes, and access to key economic sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, and fisheries,” he said.
Diri emphasized that the seaport would serve as a major catalyst for economic expansion, noting that it is “not merely an infrastructure initiative but a multi-sectoral economic catalyst expected to drive export expansion, decongest existing ports, stimulate industrial growth, and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.”
He further highlighted that the project aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda, particularly in reducing reliance on existing congested ports while opening up new corridors for trade and energy logistics.
Assuring investors of a conducive business environment, the governor stated that the project would be supported by “transparent regulatory systems, innovative financing frameworks, and strong institutional backing.”
He added that collaboration with the Federal Government is already underway, noting that “a joint federal-state technical team is actively working to advance the implementation of the seaport.”
The Agge Deep Seaport, located along over 120 kilometres of Atlantic coastline, is expected to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global shipping while strengthening its role as a regional hub for oil and gas exports.
Diri’s vision for the project earned him recognition at the event, where he was honoured with the award. “Deep Seaport Development in Nigeria: The Governor Who Saw Tomorrow,” underscoring his administration’s push to position Bayelsa as a key player in Nigeria’s maritime and energy value chain.
