Oyetola Pledges Swift Action on Bakassi Deep Seaport Project

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has committed to expediting the long-awaited Bakassi Deep Seaport project in Cross River State, promising that bureaucratic delays will not impede progress. Oyetola offered this assurance during a courtesy visit by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, to his office, underscoring the strategic importance of the deep seaport to Nigeria’s maritime ambitions.

Oyetola highlighted the natural depth of the Bakassi Seaport—ranging between 17 to 21 meters, as estimated by the Cross River Government—which would significantly lower capital dredging costs. The minister, who previously served as Governor of Osun State, emphasised that the successful completion of the deep seaport would position Nigeria as a central hub for trans-shipment in Africa, reducing the current reliance on other countries due to the shallow draught of Nigeria’s existing ports. Governor Otu, in turn, expressed confidence in the project’s success under Oyetola’s leadership, noting that the seaport is integral to Cross River’s infrastructure plan to boost trade and economic growth, both locally and nationally.