Captain Segun Akanbi (
The Federal Government has invested so much in our river ports without adequate feasibility studies, hence, the reason for the unproductive state of the ports. The essence of the investment was to promote an easy and safe intermodal connectivity for our transport systems for easy movement of cargo and to decongest the major ports. Unfortunately, our river ports do not have enough draft to accommodate bigger ships, the access roads for truck to connect with the cargo barge or ships are not in good shape, the freighters are not convinced of the safety and efficiency of moving their cargo through the river. Everything is working against the projection of the investment.
For us to solve the problems, we need to plug all the highlighted factors. Provide good access roads, continuous dredging plan for the Niger River, install adequate aids to navigation, properly regulate barge operators and crew, and do a lot of sensitization to adjust the mindset of the freighters on the efficiency, safety and security of the river passage.
Captain Tajudeen Alao (National
We do not call them river ports, they are inland river ports. Apart from Lagos, all other ports are inside such as: Baro, Oguta and the likes. There are some bridges on the road that they need to demolish and reconstruct because as at the time they were doing them, they didn’t consider that ships will pass under them. So if they do that, ships can come directly to River Niger and to Port Harcourt. Instead of going to re-dredge long channels, they can use that money to reconstruct the bridges over the rivers; like Second Niger bridge is quite high. So all the bridges that are low should be demolished and reconstructed. It is cheaper than dredging a new channel. It is good to move haulage by water.
Engineer Bob Yousuo (National President, Nigerian Merchant Navy)
The major problem is that the river channels are not navigable. I hope that Nigeria gets good leaders who have a sincere heart for this country, who love the country and really want to make this country move. When we have people like that, I believe things will get better.
Unfortunately, money has been lost into these government ventures where people only think of themselves. So, if only Nigerians change their mindset to think on what they can do to help and develop the country, then all these infrastructures will be better for us. That is when Nigeria will get better. That is when we will get everything right.
Chief Raymond Gold (National PRO, WABOTAN)
These ports were once functioning, but somehow they couldn’t function again. There was something that made those ports function, it was the way things were done. Why can’t we go back to do the things that were done? The point is that if those ports are functioning it will help the backlog of goods not cleared at the major ports and are attracting demurrage will stop. It will also reduce the pressure on the roads causing wear and tear by trucks. When they function, they are better for the economy and the better for the users. I feel strongly that the government should look at how things were done and make those ports functional. If they can rejig the shipping companies to move cargoes. They should put all necessary things in place to make it work.
Engr. Matthew Alalade (Former President, Merchant Navy)
Well, I believe they can make them viable by dredging them to make them navigable. Some river ports are being filled up by sand again during the dry season. But they can make use of it during the rainy season. So, maybe that is the constraint that they are having. Although they have spent a huge amount of money to put those ports in place, I believe they can still use those ports and I believe they will be able to benefit optimally from them if they make good use of the river ports. Unfortunately they are not making use of it, that is the problem we have. They can also use it as a water transportation tool to transport people from one state to the other. So it will be much more viable and you would see that the roads will be less stressed. So if they do water transportation with it, it will be so good. The government should encourage other avenues so that they can utilize it.
Captain Thomas Kemewerigha
A lot of resources have been invested into these areas and yet it’s not viable, nothing is happening. Every agency or department will raise the budget but implementation and actualization is zero, no check and balance because when the money comes out, everybody is involved in the sharing. In the last ILO meeting at Geneva, nobody from inland waterways in Nigeria was in Geneva. They were not even aware. If these river ports are viable, it will be of great national benefit. What do we do to get it right? I don’t know any longer because I don’t know why it’s also not working. But all I know is that all the money that has been voted into this issue is being shared by the politicians and the organizations and they are not doing anything. It is all just a big pity that we find ourselves in this position, in this generation. It’s a big pity.
Mr Rowaye Jubril (General Secretary, NISA)
The only way river ports can be viable is if the connecting river channels are dredged for small container vessels and barges to navigate. It’s easy for public office holders to make a policy pronouncement, but when it comes to implementation, it becomes the more you look, the less you see.
Captain Adetayo Saliu (Chairman, Merchant Navy Shipping Zonal Council)
Was the government sincere initially when they decided to establish and run those ports? Who are the people they gave the ports to? Are they those that are ready for the business or just their cousins or in-laws? How will the ports run? We have to be sincere first before we think of running the river ports. If the port runs, it will be of advantage economically. It will also relieve the burden on the roads. But we need to do the right thing.
