FEC approves transport data bank, power projects for Onne, Apapa ports

The Federal Executive Council has approved three major Public-Private Partnership projects aimed at boosting infrastructure development, improving transportation planning and strengthening power supply in key economic zones across the country.

The projects include the establishment of a Smart National Transport Data Bank under the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, as well as Independent Power Projects for the Onne and Apapa port complexes.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by Ifeanyi Nwoko, Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.

According to the statement, the approvals followed regulatory reviews and due diligence conducted by the commission before the projects were presented to the Federal Executive Council.

The Director-General of the ICRC, Jobson Ewalefoh, said the approvals reflected the Federal Government’s drive to attract private sector investment into critical infrastructure through structured PPP arrangements.

He explained that the Smart National Transport Data Bank would help address persistent challenges linked to the absence of reliable transport data in Nigeria.

“Nigeria’s biggest transport challenge is not just infrastructure; it is the lack of reliable, usable data,” Ewalefoh said.

He noted that the platform would integrate real-time information across road, rail, air and marine transportation systems to improve planning, monitoring and operational efficiency.

According to him, the project will deploy technologies such as vehicle tagging and automated number plate recognition to strengthen traffic management and enforcement.

Ewalefoh added that the initiative would also support better infrastructure planning, reduce inefficiencies and create additional revenue opportunities through digital compliance systems.

Speaking on the approved power projects, the ICRC boss described the Independent Power Projects at Onne and Apapa ports as strategic interventions targeted at improving electricity supply in critical industrial and commercial hubs.

He said the proposed 50-megawatt power plant at the Onne Port Complex would provide stable electricity for port operations and the Oil and Gas Free Zone located within the area.

He further disclosed that the Apapa Port Complex project is expected to generate about 36 megawatts through a hybrid energy system to improve power reliability at the nation’s busiest seaport.

According to Ewalefoh, improved electricity supply at both ports would reduce operational costs, enhance trade efficiency and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional business and logistics hub.

“These are not just power projects; they are productivity enablers,” he said.

“When you fix power in these critical economic zones, you directly impact trade efficiency, reduce the cost of doing business and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional hub.”

The commission said the projects underscored the government’s strategy of addressing infrastructure deficits through partnerships with the private sector while ensuring compliance with global best practices and protection of public interest.