23 November 2015, Lagos – The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has blamed the delay in the dredging of the channel leading to the port in Warri, Delta State, to the low level of the river which makes the siltation (rate of return of sand to the channel after dredging) level very high.
Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi, who disclosed this at a meeting with journalists, said that the Authority had commenced the process leading to the dredging of the channel by engaging the services of two firms to do the preliminary work.
Abdullahi, who was represented at the meeting by the General Manager in charge of Public Affairs, Emmanuel Ebubuegu, said the two firms are Royal Ascony, which is looking at the break waters, and Ace Consulting that is working on the pre-dredging.
According to NPA boss, “The study of geography tells us that at the lower course of the river, the level of sedimentation is very high. Incidentally, the ports of Warri, Calaber and Port Harcourt are all situated at the lower course of river. If you do not do something to address the hindrance properly, you will always be fighting with nature.”
- Vanguard