Introduction
Drawing insight from one of Bayelsa’s prolific writers and social commentators, Hon. Wisdom Ikuli, Technical Adviser to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, on Media and Publicity, in his rejoinder concerning those calling for the sack of Engr. Olise Kemenabo, the MD of Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, this contribution relies on the premise of a statement therein for the purpose of reflecting on the Agge Deep Sea Port.
He said, “Sadly, while His Excellency has control over the funds that he has provided, he does not have control over the shipping companies. We know Bayelsa State does not own a functional shipping line”. This statement not only calls for exercising patience in the Governor’s effort to achieve a sustainable solution to the power supply in the state, but is also prophetic in the sense of the huge and vast economic advantage of the Agge Deep Sea Port. Not only in owning a shipping line.
Following the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE), one of the audacious and laudable economic trajectories of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Duoye Diri, expeditiously replicated the same in the state. Bayelsa State thus became the first to commence the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. As a visionary leader who understands and comprehends the socio-economic dividends the marine and blue economy would bring to the state, he wasted no time in appointing a commissioner for the state ministry to hit the ground running. A detailed and comprehensive policy framework was developed in line with the policy initiative of President Tinubu’s administration.
FMMBE an Overview
Dr. Dakoru Atukpa, a lead consultant to the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Tinubu on Marine and Blue Economy, rendered a brief overview of the key takeaways of the Tinubu administration’s policy thrust. According to him, the establishment of the FMMBE is a bold policy direction of the president aimed at sustainably harnessing the vast water bodies, including rivers and oceans in Nigeria, for national economic growth, environmental sustainability of the marine ecosystem, and enhancing livelihoods. The focus of FMMBE encompasses different sectors, including renewable energy, fisheries, tourism, and aquaculture, as well as addressing climate change and marine degradation. Nigeria is estimated to harvest approximately 429.28 trillion naira ($296 billion) from blue economy activities. Indeed, there is no better renewed hope we can think of with such initiative. He further itemized the following as the critical tripartite investment hub as a decade key policy focus from 2025 to 2034:
Modernization of Port Infrastructure for efficiency and security to enhance trade and maritime business
Aquaculture and Fishery development for sustainable fishing practices and aquaculture for robust job creation and food production, and
Environmental Stewardship to ensure that marine economic activities are harmless to marine life in accordance with global standards.
Governor Diri’s Laudable Efforts
In October 2024, the Bayelsa State Government galvanized the support of the FMMBE regarding the development of the Agge Deep Sea Port. Recognizing the tremendous potential of the state in harnessing huge investment and fast-tracking economic activities that will translate to job creation and livelihoods of Bayelsans, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, graciously obliged to a Private Public Partnership initiative for the Agge Deep Sea Port, in the Ekeremor deep coastal corridor. Since then, there have been several high-profile discussions and field visits between the State government and the Federal government. A geospatial assessment and other crucial impact studies to safeguard the successful take-off of the project have already been done. The Agge Deep Sea Port is estimated at $3 billion (4.35 trillion naira as at the exchange rate of 27 December,2025).
The Agge Deep Sea Port and its Imperative
Bayelsa is a viable coastal state. So far, investment in the marine sector has been in local transportation with outboard engines plying local routes from the capital city to coastal communities. Investors in this regard center on only a few individuals owning boats for local transportation. As for the construction of boat infrastructure, it is just a handful of individuals involved with Epenal Boat Yard, as the most prominent.
While this micro involvement in the marine sector has been useful, the need to expand the business horizon to the big-time players in the marine sector has become a clarion call. The Agge Deep Sea Port is that clarion call of the now. Of course, the importance of a deep-sea port cannot be overstated.
The maritime industry, records have shown, has played a critical role in the economic and social transformation of any country because of the huge volume of trade. The World Bank estimated that more than 80% of global goods by volume of trade is through sea routes. Containers conveyance alone comprises over 60% of the sustainability of the marine trade value chain. This encompasses the following: (a) logistics and supply chains, which are responsible for ensuring goods and services reach the consumer. (b)Technology integration, which caters to effective and efficient port management. (c) Stakeholder interaction, involving interaction of port authorities, logistics providers (freight and forwarding agents), import and export businessmen, as well as customs officials.
The Aggee Deep Sea Port, with other contiguous infrastructure, such as waterways and roads into hinterlands, would provide a robust economic and social opportunity for Bayelsans to take advantage of. If the Lekki Deep Sea Port alone registered an estimated 13.4 trillion naira, about 9.3 billion dollars, on combined import and export over a period of 9 months of 2025. Bayelsa, like Lagos, has a comparative advantage due to its proximity to the Atlantic trade route. Indeed, Lagos State is no more coastal than Bayelsa.
Given the above, it is a welcome development that the Diri’s Administration, known for taking up audacious projects that generations to come will applaud, has made a bold statement with the commencement of the Agge Deep Sea Port. In light of the federal government’s interest in decongesting existing ports, the door is open for the development of other seaports. It is in this regard that several coastal states have indicated interest in port development and fishery projects. It has therefore become imperative for the Agge Deep Sea Port to be seriously prioritized. The tempo needs to be escalated, given the pace of work already done. Unarguably, it remains one of Governor Diri’s outstanding legacy projects when completed. Not taking for granted the massive road networks and the relentless effort for sustainable electricity in the state.
Conclusion
With Bayelsa State pioneering marine and blue economy activities in the Niger Delta, following the president Tinubu’s initiative, its strong presence at the upcoming Niger Delta Blue Economy Summit 2026, at Uyo, Calabar, from 9-11 February, is a welcome opportunity for the state to showcase its remarkable achievements in this sector. The summit promises to be a convergence of global leaders in the blue economy. The former Prime Minister of Tunisia will be leading a host of global leaders to the summit. It is the first of its kind where the Niger Delta states will sit at the table to kick-start a conversation aimed at mobilizing $10 billion of funding for a 5-year blue economy road map as a remarkable option beyond fossil fuel.
Koye Caleb Thomas is a Development Expert and Social Analyst. He can be reached at ebikoye @yahoo.com, [email protected], and 08060433128.