Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has raised fresh concerns over the economic setbacks suffered by the state and Nigeria at large due to the underutilisation of the Port Harcourt and Onne seaports, warning that failure to harness their full capacity will continue to deny the nation jobs, investments, and industrial growth.
Speaking when he received the Board and Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, led by Chairman Senator Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, at Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara said world-class ports remain the backbone of many prosperous economies, yet Rivers State’s advantage of hosting two major ports has not been fully exploited.
“Seaports are essential to national development. Many nations have relied on ports and airports to power their economies. Here in Rivers, we have both Port Harcourt and Onne Ports, but their potential remains largely untapped,” Fubara declared.
He emphasised that activating the full potential of Onne Port alone would trigger transformative growth in surrounding communities such as Eleme and Tai, driving employment, manufacturing, clearing and forwarding services, and wider economic activity.
“If Onne Port were operating at full capacity, the ripple effects on these communities would be massive. Jobs would be created, industries would thrive, and Rivers State would become an investment hub,” he said.
The Governor further linked port optimisation to lower logistics costs, stronger investor confidence, and new industries that depend on export facilities.
He stressed that the resulting expansion would cut across job creation, business growth, and higher tax revenues.
Fubara noted that Rivers enjoys relative peace and stability under his administration, in contrast to other states where port activities are hampered by community disputes.
According to him, this makes Rivers an attractive location for maritime investments.
On infrastructure, he described the dilapidated federal access roads leading to the ports as a major setback.
“The poor state of these roads cause flooding and traffic congestion. While they are federal roads, my administration will complement rehabilitation efforts through traffic management, regulation of truck drivers, and maintaining order around port areas,” he assured.
The Governor also pledged to bolster security within the port environment, announcing plans to facilitate the establishment of a police station inside the facilities.
He linked insecurity to unemployment, noting that a fully functional port system would naturally reduce crime by providing opportunities for young people.
Fubara condemned the encroachment of port lands by private individuals, warning that such actions undermine future expansion.
He asked the NPA to provide detailed reports of encroachments so the state could intervene. He also tied much of the flooding around the ports to failed access roads and poor drainage, promising joint efforts with the NPA to implement remedial works.
Commending the NPA Board for engaging with the state government before embarking on projects, Fubara said such collaboration would guarantee sustainability and acceptance by host communities.
In response, Chairman of NPA Board, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, described Nigeria’s litoral states as being endowed with marine assets capable of driving economic prosperity, assuring that the NPA was committed to optimising operations at the Rivers ports.
“We are determined to ensure that Port Harcourt and Onne Ports deliver on their full potential. With the state government’s support, we can tackle key challenges, from access roads to illegal truck parking, sanitation, and security within the port precincts,” the NPA Chairman said.
