By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE non-functional state of the Delta Ports has, again, raised fresh concerns among stakeholders, who reiterated that their abandonment is slowing down economic growth and depriving Delta State of major development opportunities.
The remarks came on Thursday at the Annual General Meeting of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA), held at The Monarchy Event Centre in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, where government officials, business leaders and industry experts gathered to discuss strategies for reviving the state’s economy.
Mr Felix Oseji
Representative of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Samuel Odigida, said it was distressing that despite having more than one port, none was functioning.
Odigida, who was also represented by the Director of Commerce, Mr Felix Oseji, said the situation was unacceptable considering that most imported goods were destined for the South.
He explained that ports played a central role in the prosperity of any economy, noting that Delta State needed functional seaports if it must attract investments and stimulate growth.
He noted that the ports must be brought back to life to enable citizens access original goods and boost commercial activities.
Oseji, who avered that with functional ports, rail transport will naturally come to play, urged the private sector to take a firm position on the issue, stating that the government was ready to collaborate.
“The state of the port in Warri is something not to be happy about. It is sad that we have more than two ports and none is functioning.
“I see no reason why the ports should be lying fallow taking into the consideration that containers brought into the country are headed to the South yet we have ports that are not functioning. It’s not something to be happy about.
“The wealth of any economy is in the ports. We need a functional port and we need to employ everything possible to ensure our ports come alive again.
“If this is done, development will be evident in Warri and the state as a whole. By virtue of the presence of ports, we can have access to original goods.
“The private sector should do a position and sendy to us and we will escalate it. What is wrong with having more than five ports in Nigeria?”
Engr. Anthony Okoh
In his remarks, the President of WACCIMA, Engr. Anthony Okoh, emphasised that the revitalisation of the Delta Ports had been a decade-long concern.
He said stakeholders were relieved that, after persistent advocacy, the government had finally begun paying attention to the Ports.
He urged authorities to “accelerate its completion” to unlock the economic potential of the Niger Delta.
He added that the ongoing infrastructural work across Warri was commendable, noting that it was making the city more attractive for investments.
He called on the government to ensure that both international and indigenous oil companies relocate their head offices to the Niger Delta, insisting that “the era of using our resources to develop other parts of the country must stop”.
Chief Moses Orogun
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of WACCIMA, Chief Moses Orogun, stressed that reopening the ports remained the fastest way to revive Warri’s economy.
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He said the city would experience instant improvement once port operations resumed.
Orogun appealed to business leaders to take up the matter with policymakers, insisting that growth could not happen without their active involvement.
He said, “The government alone cannot do it”, adding that business interests must push for action because politics differed from commerce.
Members of WACCIMA and other stakeholders
Delivering a keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of Wellmann Group of Companies, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, described the event as a vital platform for rethinking the state’s economic direction.
He commended WACCIMA for consistently bridging the gap between government and private enterprise.
Iyovwaye noted that despite its vast resources such as oil, gas, fertile land, maritime access, and a vibrant population, Delta State continued to face structural challenges in infrastructure, diversification, and youth engagement.
He stressed that addressing these gaps required deliberate partnership between the public and private sectors.
He cited global examples such as Singapore, the UAE and Norway, where development was made possible because government policies aligned with private-sector competence.
He said meaningful progress only occurred when public institutions laid the foundation and private enterprises provided the engine.
Iyovwaye added that the private sector in Delta State had already demonstrated capability, referencing the successful relocation of a 3,800-ton offshore platform by indigenous experts.
Dignitaries at the high table
He said such accomplishments proved that the state could execute world-class projects when supported by enabling public policies.
He identified agriculture as a major area for growth, saying Delta State had the potential to become Southern Nigeria’s agro-processing hub.
According to him, the government must provide land, rural access roads and incentives, while investors must focus on mechanisation, processing and export chains.
Speaking on the blue economy, Iyovwaye said Delta State’s waterways placed it in a strong position to become the marine logistics centre of West Africa.
He said the region could support shipyards, fisheries estates, oil-servicing hubs and maritime academies.
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Iyovwaye further stressed the importance of preparing youths for a technology-driven future, calling for investments in artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech and smart logistics.
He added that both the government and the private sector must work together to create digital jobs and innovation clusters.
He concluded that strong institutions remained the backbone of investment, noting that challenges such as unpredictable regulations, weak land administration and poor enforcement could deter investors.
Strengthening these systems, he said, would help unlock the state’s economic potential.
Members of WACCIMA and other stakeholders
Highlights of the even included entertaining questions from the stakeholders some of who harped on the need for enhancing environmental aesthetics of Warri to attract investment.
Awards of excellence were also awarded to corporate organisations and individuals including the Tantita Security Surveillance Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL), the founder of the Word of Life Bible Church, and former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Safari Pharmacy, among others.
The AGM brought together business leaders, technocrats, policymakers and industry experts, who, collectively, emphasised that reviving the Delta Ports and improving infrastructure such as the Oborevwori’s government is doing, remained crucial to repositioning Delta State for sustainable growth.
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