…Says FG To Concession Onitsha River Port
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways (NIWA), Chief George Moghalu, has said the Onitsha River port is ready to receive cargoes from the port in Onne.
Meghan disclosed this yesterday during the Ministerial briefing at the State House, Abuja.
He said that this follows the successful test run of moving cargoes from Onne port to Onitsha by his agency.
He said that this became imperative considering that 65 per cent of cargoes that come into the country end up in the Southeastern part of the country.
Speaking further, he also disclosed that work has since commenced to test run the movement of cargoes from ports in Lagos to Onitsha.
The NIWA boss said that when cargoes start berthing in Onitsha River Port, not only will more revenues be generated but it will further help to save the roads from unnecessary pressures.
Speaking further, he also revealed that plans are underway to concession the Onitsha River port, adding that the concession will create over 2,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.
“We have done successfully the test run of movement of cargoes from Onne port to Onitsha River port. What we are doing now, we are trying to conclude arrangement to move cargo from Lagos to Onitsha.
“Once we are able to do that, others will buy into it. I have spoken to the Chambers of Commerce and the also engaged the Importers Association but this attitude of let’s wait for government to do it first, if they succeed then we can follow is what is holding the commercialisation of that operation.”
Speaking on the efforts made to curb accidents on Nigerian waterways, Moghalu said the NIWA under his watch has embarked on aggressive enforcement of Inland Waterways Transportation Code to ensure safety on the inland waterways.
He said that irrespective of the efforts made to improve safety and security within the nation’s waterways, the authority is looking into introducing more technology in securing the waterways.
“Discussion is ongoing with telecommunication companies to provide services across the length and breath of Nigeria’s Inland Waterways. This will greatly improve the provision of security and safety within the waterways.
“Automation of the security network on the Waterways to monitor activities and to provide effective response to security challenges. Provision of light houses along the waterways to guide ships or to warn them of danger.
“Provision of armoured patrol boats to protect the Command from attack during operations.
“Generation, protection and sharing of data with security agencies to aid criminal investigation and security planning
in illegal oil bunkering and piracy. Systematic boat registration scheme not only for standardisation of boats, but also for the promotion of security.
“Provision of more personnel to the NIWA Police Command for effective coverage of the vast waterways network. Collaboration with neighbouring countries to secure
boundary locations along Waterways.
“95 per cent of accidents on waterways happen at night and early in the morning hence, we have banned all jetties from boarding within those periods.
He said that NIWA has successfully linked 28 out of the 36 States of the federation through waterways as efforts are ongoing to link the remaining states within the shortest possible time.
While noting that NIWA is committed to making water transportation a safe option for Nigerians, he disclosed that effort are ongoing to develop Lokoja River port and Baro River port in Niger State.
