The Federal Government on Tuesday signalled a major shift in its strategy for unlocking the economic potential of the Niger Delta, unveiling a dedicated steering committee to drive what could become one of the region’s most transformative transport projects in decades—the Niger Delta Ferry Service Project.
At the inauguration in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, joined his counterpart in the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who chairs the committee, in what observers say reflects a renewed federal commitment to solving the long-standing isolation of riverine communities.
For years, poor accessibility has kept many parts of the Niger Delta disconnected from mainstream markets. With the ferry network, the government aims to change that story.
The project is designed to create a modern, reliable and affordable marine transport system that allows traders, craftsmen, commuters, and service providers to move seamlessly across the region’s creeks and rivers. For small businesses, that could mean reduced transportation costs, faster delivery chains, and access to new customers. For communities, it could mean access to schools, hospitals and government services without the burden of long, risky journeys.
Edun captured the essence of the initiative simply: “When people and goods move more easily, markets expand, productivity rises and communities prosper.”
The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wider infrastructure and economic inclusion strategy. By strengthening the region’s transport backbone, the government is betting that previously untapped commercial corridors—tourism, agriculture, fisheries, trade—will finally begin to flourish.
The Ministries of Finance, Niger Delta Development, Transport and others will collaborate to ensure the project is properly funded, efficiently executed and sustainable in the long term.
More than a ferry system, the project represents an economic lifeline. It is expected to boost social inclusion, reduce isolation in hard-hit communities, create jobs, and stimulate mobility-driven development.
If delivered as planned, the Niger Delta Ferry Service could become a cornerstone of regional renewal—one that not only connects waterways, but bridges opportunity gaps, supports livelihoods, and strengthens national cohesion.