The All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Lagos State has backed the federal government’s $1 billion investment in Lagos ports, characterizing it as a component of a national modernization plan.
According to reports, APC spokesman Seye Oladejo made this claim in a statement on Tuesday in response to criticism from opposition parties. He clarified that the goal of the investment was to make Nigeria the leading marine hub in West Africa.
Oladejo rejected the opposition’s allegation that President Bola Tinubu was ignoring the ports of Warri, Calabar, Onne, and Port Harcourt in favor of Lagos.
Such assertions, he said, are absurd and foolish.
“This careless statement merely serves to highlight the opposition’s persistent lack of understanding of fundamental economics and government. Seldom are their loud comments supported by data, statistics, or even a rudimentary grasp of the direction of national policy. No port is being neglected by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It is a Nigerian initiative, not a Lagos one, drawing foreign direct investment from Singapore’s Tolaram Group and China Harbour Engineering Company, both of which saw in President Tinubu’s vision a business environment worth their billions, according to Oladejo.
He claims that the administration of President Tinubu is concurrently carrying out modernization projects at other important ports throughout the nation.
He stated that while dredging is being done at the Calabar Port to make room for larger boats, the Onne Port is undergoing equipment upgrades and digitalization.
Oladejo also mentioned the expansion of the Warri Port corridor, which includes new rail link integration to facilitate cargo transportation inland, and the renovation of the Port Harcourt Port complex 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 remarked.
Investing in Lagos Port Is Economic Foresight
Oladejo emphasized that the $1 billion investment in Lagos Port should be viewed as economic foresight rather than as sabotage.
He clarified that the initiative’s goals were to increase exports, create jobs, and remove inefficiencies that had made Nigerian ports among of the most costly in Africa.
He cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Nigeria’s first completely automated port that is already changing port management, speeding up turnaround times, and increasing government revenue, as an illustration of the advancements made under Tinubu’s leadership.
Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is still a national initiative, not a regional favor, according to the APC spokesman. He cautioned that the opposition’s attempts to incite regional feelings were merely sabotage against the advancement of the country.
“The opposition’s attempt to use regional passions as a weapon against national advancement is the only sabotage here. The dedication of this administration is all-encompassing, inclusive, and national. Strategy, not sentiment, is what drives governance. One port, one project, and one policy at a time, President Tinubu and the APC are still committed to creating a functional Nigeria, Oladejo continued.
