Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government says the concessionaire of Onitsha Inland Port must be monitored to ensure that the value of the port is increased, by equipping the port with modern facilities that will ensure seamless movement of cargo.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, particularly charged the Nigerian Ports Authority and the National Inland Waterways Authority to ensure that the concessionaire has capable partners, saying that only modern infrastructure will give value to the port
The Minister also urged the Managing Director of NIWA to ensure that Marina Area Office of the Authority becomes a hub for trans-shipping cargo from Lagos through the intra-coastal routes to Warri, Onitsha up to Baro port in Niger state.
He spoke in Port Harcourt while commissioning two boats, a ferry boat and a patrol boat, acquired by the National Inland Waterways Authority recently.
“Onitsha port I am happy has been concessioned, and let’s monitor the concessionaire very well.
“We have to make sure also they have a very capable partner who will increase the value of that port. Modernizing the cargo handling equipment there and other facilities and infrastructure that will make the movement of cargo seamless.”
The minister also announced that the federal government will commence the disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, in order to build local capacity and improve the nation’s economy, before the end of 2022.
He also assured of his continued support to NIWA, saying that inland waterways transportation remains an alternative means of moving a nation’s economic growth and development, especially when that country is endowed with water.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu said the Authority’s
vision is to ensure that the Nation’s inland waterways provide a safe, efficient, cost effective and alternative mode of transportation of goods and persons, as well as become competitive and attractive.
“There is no gainsaying that the huge opportunities that abound in the Nation’ s inland waterways can only be maximized if concerted efforts are geared towards the development of infrastructure and proper funds to make the waterways attractive and competitive.”
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