FG Inaugurates Committee to Develop Niger Delta Ferry Service for Regional Trade
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has moved towards boosting regional trade and social inclusion in the Niger Delta region with the inauguration of the Project Steering Committee for the Niger Delta Ferry Service Project.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, participated in the inauguration of the Committee, which is chaired by the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh.
The ambitious initiative aims to build a modern ferry and marine transport system designed to connect riverine communities across the Niger Delta. The project’s key goals are improving mobility, lowering the cost of trade, and unlocking economic opportunities in one of Nigeria’s most strategically important regions.
Minister Edun praised the renewed drive behind the project and detailed its crucial role in enabling private-sector growth and social inclusion.
He stated: “Efficient transport catalyses economic activity. When people and goods move more easily, markets expand, productivity rises and communities prosper. This initiative will support enterprise, improve access and strengthen the regional economy.”
The project forms a core part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope infrastructure agenda, which focuses on connectivity, investment mobilization, and inclusive development. Key ministries are scheduled to work together to ensure effective execution and long-term sustainability.
Delivering waterway connectivity is expected to allow SMEs, traders, workers, and service providers to move with greater ease across the Niger Delta, reducing isolation for remote communities and opening new corridors for commerce, tourism, and job creation.
The Niger Delta Ferry Service Project is seen as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to driving economic growth, social inclusion, and regional development. With its successful implementation, the project is positioned to unlock new economic opportunities, improve livelihoods, and foster sustainable development not only within the Niger Delta region but the country at large.
