The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, has called for the development of specialised fishing ports as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s fishing sector and deepen the country’s blue economy.
Dantsoho made the call in a presentation titled “The Role of Port Infrastructure and Maritime Logistics in Advancing Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria,” where he highlighted the importance of appropriate port infrastructure, logistics and cargo-handling facilities to the growth of the fishing industry.
According to him, a fishing port requires dedicated marine structures, handling facilities and logistics support capable of facilitating safe vessel operations and preserving seafood.
He identified key fishing-port infrastructure to include breakwaters, quays and wharves, slipways and shipyards, navigation channels, landing and unloading areas, ice plants and cold storage facilities, processing plants, as well as road and logistics networks.
The NPA Managing Director also outlined measures being undertaken by the Authority to create a conducive environment for the handling of perishable cargo such as fish.
He said the KLT facility is designed as a dedicated fish terminal, with cold-room storage, while a dedicated export processing terminal and improved hinterland connectivity are also part of the infrastructure supporting perishable cargo.
He added that major container terminals have reefer facilities for the storage of perishables, while ongoing port modernisation efforts are aimed at revamping port infrastructure.
On port operations, Dantsoho noted that 24-hour vessel berthing operations are already operational in the western ports, while some terminal operators, including APM Terminals, GDNL and ABMT, also undertake round-the-clock cargo handling and delivery.
He, however, identified security concerns as a major challenge to 24-hour operations in the eastern ports, noting that strategic collaboration with the Nigerian Navy exists to enhance channel security.
Dantsoho stressed that expanding the frontiers of the fishing subsector would be important to Nigeria’s drive towards a stronger blue economy.
He consequently advocated the development of specialised fishing ports, noting that private-sector investment could be encouraged through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
“Consequently, we need to be looking at developing specialized Fishing Port. In the spirit of PPP, private investors interests are expected,” he stated.
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