Eshor: Delta Can Become Nigeria’s Blue Economy Hub Through Four Ports

African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate, Engr. Isaac Eshor, has criticised what he described as a lack of visionary leadership in Delta State, saying the state could become a major hub for Nigeria’s blue economy through the development of its four ports in Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu.

Eshor said the ports remain underutilised despite their potential to attract maritime investment, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

He argued that establishing ship-repair and dry-docking facilities in Delta would reduce the need for Nigerian shipowners to send vessels abroad for maintenance, thereby retaining revenue, technical expertise and employment opportunities within the country.

“Every ship that leaves Nigeria for repairs takes a Nigerian job with it,” he said.

According to Eshor, a single dry-docking operation can cost between $300,000 and $500,000, while towing a vessel to Singapore could add up to $1.8 million in expenses.

He said such expenditure represents lost opportunities for local welders, marine engineers, electricians, painters and other skilled workers.

The AAC candidate identified Burutu, whose port activity declined after the Nigerian Civil War, as part of Delta’s wider maritime development potential.

He said functional dry docks could generate employment across multiple sectors while providing practical training for polytechnic students, supporting fishing operators and improving the maintenance of government boats and security patrol vessels.

Eshor also proposed developing waterfronts into commercial centres featuring tourism facilities, boat clubs, mini-dockyards and community jetties for boat maintenance.

Eshor maintained that maritime development could generate additional government revenue through taxes, commercial leases and related business activities.

Citing Nigerdock as an example of the sector’s employment potential, Eshor said the company had repaired more than 600 vessels and employed over 1,500 people by 2001. He also pointed to the Federal Government’s stated ambition to create five million ocean-related jobs by 2035, urging Delta to prepare to capture a share of emerging opportunities.

On financing, he advocated private-sector investment backed by transparent lease agreements and arrangements that prioritise employment for Delta residents.

“When those jobs come, will Delta be ready, or will we watch them sail past?” he asked.

Eshor said Delta’s challenge was not a lack of waterways, skills or young people, but the absence of a coordinated plan to connect these resources to sustainable economic opportunities.

“Delta does not lack water, skills or young people. It lacks a plan that connects them. I will build it,” he said.

Eshor assured Deltans that, if given the opportunity, he would transform Delta into Nigeria’s hub for the blue economy and create numerous jobs for young people through the maritime sector.

#EshorForDelta #EshorIsSureForDelta

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