General
FG Reiterates Actualisation of $3bn Agge Seaport
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has pledged its commitment towards the actualisation of the $3 billion Agge Deep Seaport project to promote job creation, economic development and attract local and foreign investments to the Niger Delta region.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, stated this at the weekend during the flag-off of the marine safety sensitisation and distribution of life jackets to waterways users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The minister said the realisation of the Agge Sea Port Project in Bayelsa State was part of President Bola Tinubu administration’s alignment with the broader marine and blue economy vision which is part of its transformative agenda to revive the economy.
Mr Oyetola disclosed that the ministry was working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Agge Deep Seaport becomes a reality in record time.
He said the port will serve as a major maritime gateway in the South-south, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, creating jobs, boosting local and foreign investment, and accelerating economic development in the Niger Delta and beyond.
On his part, the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Douye Diri for his initiatives and his administration’s alignment with the broader Marine and Blue Economy vision of the federal government, he added that the port will also open up new frontiers in logistics, fisheries, ship-building, and tourism.
Speaking on the distribution of life jackets to waterways users, the minister said the initiative was in continuation of the implementation of the federal government’s national safety initiative that speaks directly to the value the administration placed on human lives.
“Today, we are here in Bayelsa State to fulfill that same promise, distributing 3,500 life jackets to users of inland waterways in this great state.
“This landmark initiative, launched under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is not just symbolic; it is strategic, proactive, and long overdue. It is our direct response to the alarming rate of boat mishaps and the heartbreaking fatalities that have plagued our waterways for far too long.
“As we all know, water transportation remains the most viable means of connectivity for many of our rural and riverine communities, yet it is also one of the riskiest when safety protocols are ignored or unavailable.
“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe.
“It is our firm belief that no one should lose their life simply because they had to cross a river or travel by boat. The distribution of life jackets to the 12 selected states in this first phase represents one of the most comprehensive federal responses in recent times to the persistent safety challenges on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
He appealed to the national government to make good its promise of supporting the state in developing the Agge Deep Seaport.
Represented at the ceremony by his deputy, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor described the Agge Seaport project as a gateway to regional and international trade that would be of immense benefit to the state and the country at large.
Mr Diri assured the federal government of his administration’s commitment to actualising the project, and called for effective collaboration from all critical stakeholders including development partners.
“We are happy that you have spoken profusely about the Agge Deep Seaport. But we will be happier if all of us work together in pursuing this endeavour to its completion and use.
“The Agge Deep Seaport is not only important to Bayelsa. It will not only open the gateway to Bayelsa, but also open the gateway to the Nigerian economy in several ways,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, improved performance, and sustained growth in the maritime sector, as the country recorded zero piracy incidents on its territorial waters for the fourth consecutive year.
This came with the signing of its 2026 Sectoral Performance Bond, overseen by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, the Performance Bond is a key governance instrument for tracking deliverables, strengthening institutional accountability, and aligning the Agency’s operations with national priorities.
He stated that NIMASA’s ongoing reforms are driven by purposeful leadership and strategic ministerial support, adding that the Agency remains committed to delivering on its mandate in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
On maritime security, Mobereola disclosed that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters over the past four years, attributing the milestone to enhanced surveillance systems and improved inter-agency collaboration.
He further revealed that the Agency is at an advanced stage of automating its ship registry processes, a move expected to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness in global maritime business.
Providing an update on the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), the NIMASA boss said more than 60 applications have been received since the portal was launched in January 2026, assuring that the disbursement process will be transparent and strictly monitored.
Mr Mobereola also noted that Nigeria has deposited three conventions with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), while three others are awaiting Federal Executive Council approval, underscoring the country’s commitment to international maritime standards.
Speaking further, he noted that Nigeria’s election into category C at the IMO Council in November 2025 restored its voice in global maritime governance and strengthened its leadership role in Africa.
In his remarks, Minister Oyetola reiterated the federal government’s commitment to using the maritime sector to drive economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.
He stressed that the Performance Bonds are binding commitments that will be closely monitored, declaring that “accountability is not optional.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it has expanded its market surveillance and product testing to electrical and electronic products to ensure strict regulatory compliance.
The organisation also said it was extending market surveillance to cables and other building materials due to significant product safety issues regarding collapsed buildings.
According to the Director of the Surveillance and Investigations Department at FCCPC, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, there are products that did not meet basic safety and quality standards in circulation.
She noted that where business conduct raises concerns about consumer safety, such matters would be investigated.
Mrs Adeyinka said the commission was coordinating with various sector regulators to address weaknesses that permitted unsafe products to enter or remain in the market.
”When a product presents a risk, the law requires prompt collective action, including product withdrawal, product recall, and proper notice to the consumer.
“If you are producing products in Nigeria and you discover there is a safety concern or likely to be a safety concern with respect to products that you have rolled out in the market, you have an obligation to withdraw and recall them.
“You also give notice to consumers who have purchased those products to be able to make the remedial actions, particularly with products that may significantly affect the lives of consumers of those products.”
“These are not optional expectations but legal requirements under our law. They are statutory duties to ensure product safety and consumer welfare in Nigeria.
“Failure to act responsibly by recalling, withdrawing, and issuing consumer notice will attract strict and stiff regulatory response from the commission,” she added.
The official noted that, “Compliance is not a favour to the regulator,” she stated.
Mrs Adeyinka also said FCCPC, headed by Mr Tunji Bello, remained committed to effectively monitoring and enforcing compliance across the market.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mr Muhammad Usman Zuru, has died in an Egyptian hospital.
He was said to have breathed his last on Monday night at the North African healthcare facility.
Details surrounding his death last night have yet to be made public, but the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris on Communication and Strategy, Mr Idris Zuru, said, “We are still gathering full details surrounding his passing. The government will make an official statement and announce burial arrangements in consultation with the family.”
“The death of the Speaker, Muhammad Usman Zuru, came to us as a rude shock. It is a painful loss not only to Kebbi State but to the entire nation,” the media aide further stated.
It was gathered that the late Speaker travelled to Egypt to receive treatment for an undisclosed illness.
Before his passing, the lawmaker represented Zuru Constituency in the Kebbi State House of Assembly.
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