EU eyes Delta port in proposed sea link project

Delta State Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeame, and the leader of the EU and ECOWAS delegation, Massimo De Luca.

The European Union has identified Burutu Port in Delta State as a potential international maritime hub under a proposed Sea Link project connecting Lagos State, the Niger Delta and communities along the River Niger.

The EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, led by Massimo De Luca, disclosed this on Thursday when the team paid a courtesy visit to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, in Asaba.

De Luca said the proposed Sea Link would establish a route from Lagos through the coastal corridor to Burutu and then up the River Niger, through Onitsha to Ajaokuta.

He stressed the strategic location of Burutu and its potential to support both maritime and inland waterway transportation.

“When you look at the geography of the project, we already have an existing port that may require substantial rehabilitation, but it is strategically located in the Niger Delta. I’m referring to the Port of Burutu,” De Luca said.

He added that the project would not only make Burutu a stopover along the route, but could also transform the port into an international gateway.

“We believe Burutu has the potential to become a fully-fledged international port; this gives the project a dual aspect,” he said.

According to him, Burutu could be developed into a port open to ocean-going vessels and international trade.

“There is the potential to develop Burutu into a port that is open to the ocean and international trade, similar in some respects to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium,” De Luca said.

He said the proposed project was being pursued under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, adding that Nigeria and West Africa had considered the development of coastal transportation for more than a decade.

De Luca said the Sea Link project would help move some traffic from roads to rivers and coastal waterways, while creating new business opportunities and stimulating economic activities.

“The first transformative impact of this project is that it will help shift traffic from the roads to the rivers and coastal waterways. It will also create new business opportunities and stimulate economic activity,” he said.

He disclosed that discussions were already ongoing on the project’s financing structure, with a consortium involving several parties expected to participate.

According to him, the investment would cover barges and port infrastructure, particularly facilities at Burutu.

Receiving the delegation, Oborevwori, who was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme, welcomed the proposed development and said Delta was ready to support the initiative.

Oborevwori said the state had been discussing the blue economy since the beginning of his administration and was eager to benefit from its opportunities.

“We have been talking about the blue economy since the beginning of this administration, and we are all very eager to participate in it and enjoy the enormous benefits that the blue economy has to offer,” he said.

The governor said Delta’s extensive network of waterways made the state well-positioned to benefit from the proposed development of waterway and maritime transportation.

“As a state with an extensive network of waterways, we are ready to provide all the necessary cooperation and support to enable this dream, which is indeed our collective dream, to become a reality,” he added.

Oborevwori said the involvement of the EU and other development partners had increased his confidence in the possibility of developing the state’s maritime sector.

“We have been talking about developing our blue economy and seaports for many years. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time I am witnessing such a strong combination of serious-minded institutions and development partners coming together with a clear commitment to making this dream a reality,” he said.

He assured the delegation that the Delta State Government would provide the necessary support and cooperation for the project.

De Luca also noted that the EU had supported several development projects across the state over the years, including water infrastructure, schools, health centres, civic centres and palm-oil processing facilities.