The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh has inaugurated the Project Development Committee for the proposed establishment of the Niger Delta Ferry Services (NDFS) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, saying that it will enhance the economic life of the Niger Delta region as it interconnects remote communities.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister described the initiative as a significant milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to enhance water transportation infrastructure and promote socio-economic development within the Niger Delta region.
Engr Momoh recalled that when he assumed office, one of the key challenges he inherited was the neglect of ferry transport services in the Niger Delta.
He noted that during the 2022 Council on the Niger Delta in Uyo, stakeholders, including governors, traditional rulers, and youth representatives, stressed the need to establish ferry services to connect remote communities across the region.
“Before the development of Nigeria’s road networks, ferry transport was the main means of movement in the Niger Delta.
“However, with the advent of roads, this vital mode of transportation was largely abandoned, leaving many communities surrounded by water with limited access and connectivity. This has made movement and development within the region increasingly difficult," the minister stressed.
He emphasized that even with new projects like the coastal road, many riverine communities will still require ferry services to connect to these routes.
He expressed satisfaction that a dedicated committee has now been inaugurated to drive the revival of ferry transport in the Niger Delta region, a move expected to improve connectivity, boost economic activities, and strengthen regional integration.
According to him, for effective implementation, the committee has representations from his ministry, that of Budget, Finance, Blue Economy as well as the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
The Minister, who also chairs the committee, encouraged members to leverage their expertise to ensure the success of the projects.
In his remarks, the Hon. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Wale Edun, commended the Minister of Regional Development for ensuring that the initiative inherited from the previous administration becomes a lasting legacy.
He highlighted the importance of a transportation system that reflects the unique geographical realities of the Niger Delta, noting that efficient movement of people and goods is essential for economic growth and regional development.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe, described the Ministry’s vision for transformative and sustainable ferry transport system as strategic move to enhance accessibility, reduce travel time, promote integration, and unlock economic opportunities for millions of Niger Delta residents.
“This inauguration marks the beginning of a new journey towards the modernizing transport infrastructure in the region.
"This initiative is in alignment with the Ministry's broader vision of promoting inclusive regional growth, infrastructural development, and sustainable livelihoods, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The Niger Delta Ferry Service will therefore not just be a transport for connection, it will be a catalyst for social commitment, tourism growth, and private sector participation in regional developments," the permanent secretary said
She said with inauguration, the Project Steering Committee, which is more or less a policy decision of the project and the Project Delivering Team have been merged to bypass unnecessary bureaucracy.
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), represented by Ezeja Chidiebere, reaffirmed ICRC's commitment to ensuring the success of the Ferry Services project.
He pronounced that the Project Steering Committee and Project Development Team have been merged into a single Project Development Committee to streamline operations and prevent bureaucratic delays. He added that technologies for fast-tracking and monitoring service delivery have been put in place to remove potential obstacles to project implementation.
"My Director General has a standing directive from the President himself to ensure that all stumbling blocks to this project is removed. We are fast-tracking everything, even though we are ensuring professionalism, best practices, partnership. I believe this committee will have a very speedy and productive process."
The committee members include the Ministry of Regional Development, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission. The inauguration represents a decisive step toward reviving ferry transport in the Niger Delta, aligning infrastructure development with the region’s economic potential and geographical realities.