APC Defends $1 Billion Ports Project, Declares It’s for All Nigerians

The federal government’s $1 billion investment in Lagos ports has been justified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Lagos State, which characterizes it as a component of a national modernization plan.

In response to criticism from opposition parties, APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo reportedly said this in a statement on Tuesday. He clarified that the investment was intended to make Nigeria the leading marine hub in West Africa.

The opposition claimed that President Bola Tinubu was concentrating on Lagos ports while ignoring Warri, Calabar, Onne, and Port Harcourt ports, but Oladejo denied this.

He called such assertions absurd and naive.

“The opposition’s persistent lack of fundamental economics and governance is further shown by this careless assertion. Rarely are their outspoken beliefs supported by data, statistics, or even a rudimentary grasp of the trajectory of national policy. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government is not ignoring any ports. China Harbour Engineering Company and Singapore’s Tolaram Group, who both saw in President Tinubu’s vision a business climate worth their billions, have invested in the Nigerian project, which is not a Lagos initiative, according to Oladejo.

He claims that modernization projects are being carried out concurrently by President Tinubu’s administration in other important ports throughout the nation.

He noted that while the Calabar Port is still undergoing dredging to make room for larger vessels, the Onne Port is undergoing digitalization and equipment upgrades.

In addition to the extension of the Warri Port corridor, which includes new rail link integration to facilitate cargo transportation inland, Oladejo stated that the Port Harcourt Port complex is being renovated under a new concessionary framework.

“The opposition, of course, wouldn’t know this—they’re too busy tweeting ignorance and recycling talking points from the political dustbin,” he stated.

Economic Foresight in Lagos Port Investment
Oladejo emphasized that rather from being interpreted as sabotage, the $1 billion investment in Lagos Port should be viewed as economic vision.

He clarified that the initiative’s goals were to increase exports, create jobs, and get rid of inefficiencies that had made Nigerian ports among of the priciest in Africa.

He cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port as an illustration of the advancements made under Tinubu’s leadership, pointing out that it is Nigeria’s first completely automated port that has already redefined port management, accelerated turnaround times, and increased government revenue.

Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, according to the APC spokesperson, is still a national initiative rather than a regional favor. He cautioned that the opposition’s attempts to incite feeling in the region were merely sabotage against the advancement of the country.

“The opposition’s attempt to use regional sentiments as a weapon against national advancement is the only sabotage occurring here. This administration has made a comprehensive, inclusive, and national commitment. Strategy is what drives governance, not emotion. Oladejo continued, “President Tinubu and the APC are still committed to creating a functional Nigeria, one port, one project, and one policy at a time.”