Baring any unforseen breakdown of ongoing alliance between the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and that of Works, the deplorable state of ports access roads in the country may soon be over, as the ministers in charge have agreed to fix the bad roads, in order to ameliorate the pains importers under in cargo delivery in the country.
During his recent visit to the Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola said that dilapidated access roads leading to the nation’s seaports are making importers and exporters experience high transportation costs, prolonged transit times and heightened risk of accidents.
He listed 15 roads that require urgent attention, pointing out that dilapidated port roads cumulatively impede national economic growth, discourage foreign investment, and hinder the nation’s international trade competencies, hence the need to urgently fix them.
According to him, access roads leading to the ports in Nigeria play a pivotal role in the efficiency of the ports hence the need for a synergy between the two Ministries to end the malaise.
Oyetola appealed to the Minister of Works to assist in undertaking an urgent comprehensive repair and maintenance programme for all the identified dilapidated roads leading to ports in the country.
He listed the bad roads, which cut across the Lagos Port complex, Tincan Island Port, Calabar New Port, Delta Port and Onne Port. They include the 1.6km dual carriage road within the Lagos Port Complex, 3km Tincan Island access road, 15.3km Eleme Junction -Trailer Park Junction dual carriageway at Onne Port and 3.1km FLT-FOT Roundabout Single Carriageway, also at Onne Port.
Umahi appreciated Oyetola and commended him for taking the trouble to visit his office with the request.
He promised to take the matter up without any further delay as he agreed with Oyetola that fixing the bad access roads would increase port efficiency and aid the country’s economic growth, inline with the vision of the current administration.
To demonstrate commitment to his pledge, Umahi immediately requested his visiting counterpart to nominate a representative, who would be meeting with one of the directors in the Ministry of Works urgently, to map out a workable action plan.
