FG’s Negligence of Eastern ports declined industrial activities in Rivers—Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has linked the observed low industrial activities in the state especially Port Harcourt to the underdevelopment visited on Eastern ports by the federal government over the years.
He said the current traffic pressures suffered by Apapa and its environs could have been avoided if the Federal Government had revived ports in the state and therefore charged Nigerians to put pressure on the Federal Government to give Eastern ports the deserved attention on infrastructure and ease of doing business.
The governor, made this public weekend while unveiling low-voltage products assembly factory in Port Harcourt, build by Alcon Nigeria Limited.
Wike, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry argued “The body language of the Federal Government suggests that the ports’ abandonment was deliberate, noting that the Lagos ports currently booming at the moment have been overburdened and manufacturers are paying exorbitantly to use them.
“Well-meaning individuals should form pressure groups to get our ports active again. The inactivity of the ports is the reason Trans Amadi area, which used to boom with industries, is no longer what it used to be.
“The NPA port, which is one of the oldest ports in Nigeria, is not what it used to be anymore. The Onne port has a free trade zone, but it has collapsed because it has been abandoned and the body language we are getting from the Federal Government seems like the abandonment is deliberate,” the Governor decried.
Earlier in his goodwill message, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engr. Mansur Ahmed, recalled that “Port Harcourt is one of the key parts for Nigeria’s industrialisation process. I know that at one time, the city was booming with businesses and there is no justification why it shouldn’t come back.
According to him, “Trans Amadi used to be my route in the early 90’s when I lived here. But over the years, wrong steps were taken in the country and we lost many industries, not just in Port Harcourt but also in other parts of the country.”
Welcoming the guests, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Gerardo Santa said “The newly launched assembly plant was the first of its kind in the southern part of the country as well as the largest which is capable of increasing local content in the oil and gas sector as well as create new jobs and expertise in the country.
