Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on the Federal Government to urgently revive the Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu ports, stressing that their revitalization will create jobs, attract investments, and boost national revenue.
Speaking in Asaba on Monday when he received the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by Chairman Prince Senator Adedayo Adeleye, Oborevwori said: “Delta State is strategically blessed with four ports. If these ports are revived, they will create massive employment, stimulate trade, and strengthen the economy of Delta and Nigeria. It is often more impactful to modernize existing ports than to build new ones.”
The governor urged urgent dredging of the Warri Channel and rehabilitation of Warri and Koko port facilities, describing the interventions as national priorities. While commending NPA’s modernization drive, he assured investors of a peaceful business environment, citing reduced attacks on oil installations and a new law against illegal levies and harassment of companies.
Highlighting state–federal cooperation on infrastructure, he disclosed: “The Federal Government has awarded the Summit Junction–Bridge Head section of the Benin–Asaba Highway to Heartland Construction Company, while the State Government has awarded a section of the Sapele–Warri Road project to CCECC at a cost of N35 billion. This is a clear demonstration of the positive relationship between the state and the centre.”
Oborevwori also noted the return of Julius Berger for the first time in years, handling major flyover projects at PTI Junction, Enerhen Junction, and DSC Roundabout, among others. He appealed to companies to honour their MOUs with host communities to sustain harmony. “Delta State is open for business, ready for partnership, and determined to consolidate its position as Nigeria’s leading maritime and economic hub,” he affirmed.
Earlier, Senator Adeleye pledged the NPA Board’s readiness to collaborate with the state government in reviving the ports. He described Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu as strategic gateways capable of boosting trade and driving growth if fully optimized.
“Delta ports currently contribute about 10.7 percent of national trade volumes, which is impressive, but there is room for improvement. With stronger collaboration, we can restore the vibrancy of these ports and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime trade,” Adeleye said.
The NPA boss identified collapsed quays, shallow drafts, underutilization, and the need for a deep seaport as major challenges. He commended Delta State’s support for port security and its cordial relations with host communities, describing safety as critical to sustaining operations.
