Delta state Governor; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his immediate predecessor; Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan have called for the return of activities to Warri port in Delta state.
The duo made the appeal at the recent Warri Economic summit which held in Warri.
The duo however acknowledged that machineries are already in motion for the dredging of the Forcados River which will lead to full operations of the once-vibrant Warri port.
The Governor specifically appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) in the efforts to bring the port back to life.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Port Authority for awarding the contract for the dredging of the Escravos channel; this project is necessary for the port to regain its pivotal role in the economy and it is my belief that we can use the port as a platform to promote the growth and transformation of the State and national economies”, he said.
According to the Governor, “it is our sincere hope that with the anticipated dredging of the Escravos bar, bigger ships can berth at the Warri port and this should lead more businesses to return to Warri, the industrial hub of Delta State.”
On his part, former Governor Uduaghan, urged that, “the youths must accept that the Warri Port must work, this whole exercise is about the youths, their future. He also confirmed that efforts are on for the dredging of the Forcados River.
Similarly, a former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Raymond Temisan Omatseye, said, Warri Port can function with collaborative efforts with other local government areas. He emphasised that the Escravos Bar will be dredged for the Koko and Warri Ports to be functional and called on the youths to ensure peaceful environment for development projects to take place.
To concretise plans for the resuscitation of the old port, Delta state Governor disclosed that to ensure hitch free movement to the Warri Port, his administration has secured more than 50 hectares of land through the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom for the construction of truck transit park.
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