Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu urges President Tinubu to establish a South East seaport, stressing trade growth, fairness, and inclusion for the region’s economy.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has made a renewed call for the establishment of a South East seaport, describing it as a vital step toward unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Kalu, who spoke during a grand reception at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, in honour of President Bola Tinubu, insisted that the time had come for the federal government to address this long-standing demand.
The president had earlier commissioned a series of projects in Abia before attending the ceremony.
In his remarks, Kalu highlighted the centrality of trade to the South East, noting that millions of Igbo people are heavily engaged in commercial activities.
He said the lack of a seaport in the region has placed them at a disadvantage, as they must depend on faraway ports in Lagos and elsewhere.
“Mr. President, we sincerely thank you for your support to Abia through our governor and across the South East. However, it is about time we had a South East seaport.
Our people are mainly traders, and this facility will enhance commerce, reduce the cost of doing business, and expand economic opportunities,” Kalu stated.
He further explained that a South East seaport would not only serve the traders but also decongest other ports, particularly Lagos, while ensuring a more balanced distribution of infrastructure nationwide.
Kalu also turned attention to the plight of Igbo residents in Lagos who have suffered demolitions of their homes and offices.
He described the development as deeply painful and appealed to President Tinubu to engage the Lagos State governor to halt further destruction.
“The destruction of properties belonging to our people in Lagos makes our hearts bleed. At this time of economic hardship, further demolitions worsen the suffering of the victims.
“We plead with you, Mr. President, to intervene so that those whose houses have not been touched can regularize their documents. Dialogue is always better than destruction,” he urged.
According to him, the Igbo community has made immense contributions to the development of Lagos and deserves fair treatment, particularly in this period of economic difficulty.
Shifting focus to Abia, Kalu stressed that governance is about partnership between the state and the federal government. He pledged to continue supporting Governor Alex Otti, despite belonging to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to ensure that Abia progresses.
“I have moved with the governor all day, inspecting projects across the state, and I must commend him for his efforts. But, like Oliver Twist, we will always request more development for our people,” he said.
Kalu underscored that political differences should never stand in the way of progress, stressing that leaders must work together for the common good of their citizens.
The Deputy Speaker expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the support the federal government has extended to projects in Abia.
He urged the state’s media and information managers to ensure that the president is duly credited for his contributions, arguing that such recognition would encourage him to do more for the state and the South East.
“By acknowledging his role, we encourage Mr. President to extend even greater support. He has already shown goodwill to the South East, and granting a South East seaport would be a landmark gesture of fairness and inclusion,” Kalu remarked.
Experts have long argued that a South East seaport would transform the region’s economy. It would open new trade routes, reduce the heavy burden on Lagos ports, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Currently, traders in the South East spend huge amounts transporting goods from Lagos or Port Harcourt over long distances, leading to higher business costs and inflated prices of goods.
A seaport closer to home would drastically reduce such challenges, ease logistics, and enhance competitiveness.
Beyond trade, the seaport would encourage agricultural exports, attract investments in manufacturing, and serve as a logistics hub for Nigeria’s growing economy.
For many in the South East, the project symbolizes not just economic progress but also recognition of their role in the nation’s growth.
Kalu’s demand echoes the wider sentiment of many in the region who believe that establishing a seaport is both an economic necessity and a political statement of inclusion.
For decades, the South East has been perceived as underrepresented in major infrastructure projects, and addressing this gap would go a long way in strengthening national unity.
The Deputy Speaker’s advocacy therefore serves as a reminder that the South East, with its entrepreneurial energy and vast population, deserves equitable investment in critical infrastructure.
As Abia and the South East continue to push for development, the call for a South East seaport remains a defining demand that could change the fortunes of the region.
Hon. Ben Kalu’s appeal reflects the aspirations of his people, highlighting the urgent need for fair distribution of infrastructure across Nigeria.
Granting this request would not only enhance trade and commerce but also stand as a powerful symbol of national balance, unity, and fairness.
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