How ethnicity killed Udenwa’s $600m Oguta Blue Seaport scheme—IMAN
Disturbing revelation has emerged on why the strategic $600m Oguta Lake Blue Seaport scheme planned by the former Achike Udenwa administration in Imo State did not see the light of the day.
National President of the Importers Association of Nigerian (IMAN), Mr Kingsley Chikezie, told reporters in Awka that the project, which would have added value to Nigeria’s economy, was frustrated by forces with ethnic colours.
According to him, the observed ethnic colours came in form of a federal order that all importation of pharmaceutical goods shall be done through the Lagos seaports, specifically the one in Apapa.
Angry Chikezie decried that this singular policy killed business activities across all the eastern ports till today.
Continuing, the importer averred that had the seaport project realised, it would have by now helped in the revival of the abandoned Oseakwa Seaport in Ihiala, Anambra State which functionality, he believes, would add value to the economies of the South East and South-South regions.
The IMAN National President lamented what became of the Imo/China deal which he said would have provided job opportunities for the youths and encouraged commerce and industry in the South East and South-South had it succeeded.
Chiekezie also said “There is no doubt that the management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been doing their best in the area of recovering our dead or moribund river and sea ports but a lot needs to be done.
“Let our governors in the South East have that synergy with NIWA to look at the Oseakwa Seaport and fashion out ways of making the abandoned Oseakwa Seaport come alive again because our people are going through hell and losing billions of Naira because of the absence of the Oseakwa seaport”, IMAN national President averred.
However, Business Hilights recalls that the current Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma last week, revealed his intention to develop the Oguta Seaport as soon as he clichés second term of office.
