NIWA mute on official delays in commissioning completed Onitsha River ports
…Plans dredging of River Benue next year
Official secrets are still veiling the reasons behind the rotting away of completed Onitsha River port complex. The port had been ready for commissioning even before the inauguration of the present administration in May 29, 2015.
However, due to the unexplainable delays, South East business community who suffer untold hardship importing their wares all the way from embattled and congested Lagos ports have began to see the scenario as calculated attempts to suppress economic progress in the region.
Business Hilights recalls that the business community had earlier in the year made it clear before the visiting Vice President that they need the port to be operational so as to reduce wastages experienced in importing from Lagos ports.
Then, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo assured the business community that the port which had been ready for operations will soon be activated. That promise has remained as it is till today.
In addressing the media recently in Lagos, the Acting Managing Director of the Nigeria Inland Waterways (NIWA), Mr. Danladi Ibrahim, further confirmed that the Onitsha and Baro ports were 100 percent ready for commissioning, but failed to explain why the delay has continued.
Besides, while revealing that the dredging of River Benue will commence fully in 2019, NIWA boss hinted that the federal agency is currently installing buoys from Lokoja to Baro.
