The Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello has assured that the controversial dredging of the Calabar Channel, which was awarded in 2006 to Messers Jan De Nul and Van Oord at a cost of $56 million dollars has been resolved through out of Court settlement.
Bello, who spoke to journalists over the weekend during a two day inspections visit to Calabar Port, said all contending issues bedeviling the dredging of the Calabar Channel has been amicably settled.
The Managing Director alongside other management staff of NPA visited the facilities at the Port and engaged with stakeholders including the Obong of Calabar Edidem Ekpo Abasi Otu at his palace.
He gave assurance that the Calabar Channel will be re-vitalised and sustained to enable the Port generate revenue for the Federal Government.
Recalled that in 2006, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo led administration awarded a contract for the dredging of the Calabar to messers Jan De Nul and Van Oord at a cost of $56.million dollars.
The contract was abandoned midway, when the former President Goodluck Jonathan led administration came on board. He initiated the Calabar Channel Management Board (CCMB), which is a joint venture company between Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and a consortium led by Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Ltd with the mandate to dredged the Port.
Expert has attributed the non activities at the Calabar Port to its shallow nature of not allowing bigger vessels to berth.
In his welcome address, Festus Olumati Calabar Port manager said within the period under review ship traffic into the Calabar Channel recorded high returns.
According to the Port Manager, “Our modest efforts had a huge corresponding increase in the Port revenues intakes from January to May 2022”
He said revenue generated in dollars within the period stood at $6,598.085 equivalent to N42 million. While total revenue generated within the period amount to #645,747.194.06.
