The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved four major maritime projects worth approximately ₦286 billion to modernize Nigeria’s port infrastructure.
The approvals were announced by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who represented the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy after the FEC meeting on Monday.
According to Lawal, the projects are designed to strengthen maritime operations, enhance environmental protection, and improve the efficiency of Nigeria’s waterways and port channels.
Among the approved projects is the procurement of two marine pollution control vessels valued at approximately ₦59.05 billion.
The vessels are expected to combat plastic pollution and other marine waste across Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks, and inland waterways.
The Council also approved the acquisition of six pilot cutter boats at a cost of about ₦80.03 billion. The boats will facilitate the transportation of marine pilots and support safe vessel navigation within port channels.
In addition, FEC approved the procurement of two firefighting boats worth approximately ₦34.06 billion.
The specialised vessels will strengthen emergency response capabilities for fires involving ships, oil terminals, and other waterfront facilities.
The largest approval is for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel, valued at approximately ₦112.85 billion.
The project will be executed through a joint venture involving the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector partners, with the aim of improving channel navigability and sustaining critical maritime infrastructure.
