- Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (right), with the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during the visit in Abuja…Tuesday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Convinced of the pivotal role of access roads in the efficiency of ports, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has appealed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for an urgent and comprehensive rehabilitation and maintenance of all affected roads in the country.
He noted that the dilapidated access roads were increasing transport cost for importers and exporters, prolonging transit times and heightening risk of accidents.
He added: “All these issues cumulatively impede our national economic growth, discourage foreign investment and hinder our international trade competencies.”
Oyetola, who delivered the message to Umahi Tuesday evening during his visit to the ministry, listed 15 roads that require urgent attention across the Lagos Port Complex, Tin Can Island Port, Calabar Port, Delta Port and Onne Port.
They include the 1.6km dual carriage road within the Lagos Port Complex, 3km Tin Can Island access road, 15.3km Eleme Junction-Trailer Park Junction Dual Carriage way at Onne Port and 3.1km FLT-FOT Roundabout Single Carriage way – also at Onne Port.
On his part, Umahi commended Oyetola for visiting with the requests and promised to take the matter up immediately, stating that fixing the listed roads would increase the efficiency of the affected ports and aid the country’s economic growth.
He further requested Oyetola to nominate a representative to meet with a director in the Ministry of Works to devise means of carrying out the task at hand.
