Ibas Asks Lawmakers To Help Improve Maritime Operations

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has appealed to the National Assembly to support efforts aimed at enhancing maritime operations in the state.

Speaking during a courtesy visit from the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, led by Chairman Hon. Ademorin Kuye, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Ibas emphasized the importance of enforcing existing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements across the state’s seaports to unlock their full potential.

He highlighted Rivers State’s strategic role in Nigeria’s maritime, oil and gas, and industrial sectors but noted that weak regulatory frameworks, lack of accountability, and conflicting stakeholder interests have stifled business growth.

“The Onne Port Complex, various oil and gas service zones, and parts of the Nigerian Ports Authority facilities are currently operating under PPP arrangements,” he explained. “While some have been successful, others are underperforming due to poor oversight and conflicting interests.”

Ibas called for a comprehensive review of these partnerships to improve transparency and enforce contractual obligations, urging the lawmakers to support reforms that would ensure better outcomes for Rivers people.

Despite the scale of maritime activity, he lamented that the state still faces significant infrastructure challenges due to neglect, vandalism, and under-utilization. He stressed the urgent need to rehabilitate and realign federal assets for greater efficiency.

“This visit is timely, as it allows for direct assessment of key federal assets under PPPs, lease, or concession agreements,” he said. “Our administration has also been focused on stabilizing security and resolving political conflicts to restore public trust and economic confidence.”

He appealed for ongoing collaboration with the National Assembly, stating that such partnerships are vital to repositioning Rivers State for peace, progress, and economic growth.

In response, Hon. Kuye said the committee was in the state to inspect federal assets, assess their current use, and consider the disposal of underused or seized assets—particularly those managed by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He added that the committee would also review PPP arrangements at the Port Harcourt, Ibeto, and Onne Ports, and submit their findings to the House.