Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta, MOSIEND, has urged the federal government to revamp eastern ports, particularly Onne, Warri, Calabar and Rivers seaports, following the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
President of MOSIEND, Mr. Kennedy Tonjo-West, also tasked the government to expedite action in the establishment of Agge deep seaport in Bayelsa state and Ibom deep seaport in Akwa Ibom State.
Tonjo-West explained that the move would change the narratives in Niger Delta, especially now that the federal government was rehabilitating the state-owned refineries to help the economy bounce back.
According to him, public-private partnership was the best approach to reviving the moribund seaports, adding that the time to take these steps was now.
He said, “In this harsh economic situation there is an urgent need for diversification and looking beyond oil and gas, the marine and blue economy is a promising outlook.
“Why is Dubai thriving? Is it not because of the sea? So why are we concentrating on only Lagos State? Why don’t we develop the other seaports to generate revenue for the states and create employment for the masses?”
The group also kicked against the concessioning of Rivers port to private firms.
“We, as MOSIEND, have, at several times, kicked against the continued concession of Nigerian Ports Authority in Rivers State to Dangote and other users.
“It is not a wise decision as it makes no economic sense in terms of internally generated revenue or employment opportunities when compared with when the federal government was managing it.
“NPA used to be a beehive of activities, generating huge revenue for the government and creating employment for thousands of unemployed youths. But today, the reverse is the case. The concession of NPA to Dangote crippled the economy of Rivers.
“Look at the place, it is underdeveloped, it has become a graveyard where nothing is happening. If you see the place now, you will cry. Even the bay has become dilapidated.”
