The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized the Federal Government’s decision to allocate $1 billion (₦1.5 trillion) for the modernization of the Apapa and TinCan Island Ports in Lagos, describing the neglect of other Nigerian ports as an act of economic imbalance and potential sabotage.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Friday, Obi expressed concern over what he termed the “excessive concentration of infrastructure investments in Lagos”, warning that such a policy sidelines other vital maritime hubs like Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne.
According to the former Anambra State governor, equitable port development across the country would enhance productivity, expand trade routes, create employment, and stimulate regional economic growth that could lift millions out of poverty.
“While any effort to improve efficiency and embrace technology in our maritime sector is commendable, such an initiative must be guided by accountability, transparency, and fairness,” Obi wrote. “The Lagos modernisation project, though laudable, underscores a troubling trend of concentrating major national infrastructure in one region.”
He emphasized that a truly national blue economy must be inclusive, involving every region in Nigeria’s maritime growth. Obi also called for reforms that would curb corruption, streamline bureaucracy, and implement a paperless port system to boost global competitiveness.
Obi concluded by urging the government to adopt fairness and equity in its infrastructure policies:
“If prudently managed, the Lagos modernization project could serve as a model for national maritime transformation. But Nigeria must rebuild with justice, integrity, and a vision that turns us from a consuming nation into one driven by production and shared prosperity.”
