EU EYES BURUTU PORT AS INTERNATIONAL MARITIME HUB UNDER PROPOSED SEA LINK PROJECT
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The European Union has identified Burutu Port in Delta State as a potential international maritime hub under a proposed Sea Link project linking 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 Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba.
De Luca said the proposed Sea Link would establish a transportation route from Lagos through the coastal corridor to Burutu and onward along the River Niger through Onitsha to Ajaokuta.
He described Burutu’s strategic location in the Niger Delta as an advantage, noting that the existing port could play a major role in connecting maritime and inland waterway transportation if rehabilitated.
“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.
According to him, the project could transform Burutu from a stopover along the proposed route into an international gateway capable of supporting ocean-going vessels and international trade.
“We believe Burutu has the potential to become a fully-fledged international port; this gives the project a dual aspect,” he said.
De Luca said the port could be developed to accommodate international maritime activities, describing its potential as comparable in some respects to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.
“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,” he said.
He explained that the proposed Sea Link project was being pursued under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, adding that Nigeria and other West African countries had considered the development of coastal transportation for more than a decade.
De Luca said the project was expected to reduce pressure on road transportation by shifting part of the movement of goods and passengers to rivers and coastal waterways.
“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 ongoing on the financing structure of the project, with a consortium involving several parties expected to participate.
According to him, the proposed investment would cover the acquisition of barges and development of port infrastructure, particularly facilities at Burutu.
Responding, Oborevwori, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, welcomed the initiative and expressed the state government’s readiness to support the project.
The governor said his administration had prioritised the development of the blue economy and was eager to explore the opportunities presented by Delta’s extensive network of waterways.
“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.
Oborevwori said Delta was strategically positioned to benefit from expanded waterway and maritime transportation because of its extensive network of waterways.
“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.
He said the involvement of the EU and other development partners had strengthened his confidence in the prospects of developing Delta’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,” the governor said.
Oborevwori assured the delegation of the state government’s cooperation and support towards the proposed project.
De Luca also highlighted the EU’s previous development interventions in Delta State, noting that the bloc had supported projects in areas including water infrastructure, education, healthcare, civic facilities and palm-oil processing.
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