The Federal Government has approved the dredging of River Benue at a staggering N25billion, even as it also stated that the dredging of River Niger has been completed.
The Minister of Transport; Senator Idris Umar made this known yesterday at the first international conference and exhibition organised by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Lagos.
The Federal Government has approved the dredging of River Benue at a staggering N25billion, even as it also stated that the dredging of River Niger has been completed.
The Minister of Transport; Senator Idris Umar made this known yesterday at the first international conference and exhibition organised by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Lagos.
The minister said that, "in order to further consolidate the transformation of inland waterways sub sector, the federal government has approved the dredging of River Benue while the process for the award of contract for the construction of the Makurdi River port is in progress"
"All the efforts of the government is to create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and stimulate economic growth through our inland waterways."
According to him, the process of the concessioning the river port is in progress with appointment of a transaction adviser to midwife the process.
He added that River Niger has come to life with ferries and barges plying the river daily, carrying passengers and goods, even as he pointed out that the inland waterways sub sector is a significant component of the federal government transformation agenda.
Umar noted that reasonable milestones have been achieved as evident in the completion of the rehabilitation of Onitsha River port.
The minister further stressed that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan attaches great importance to security on the waterways, as some patrol boats have also been procured to provide security along the inland waterways.
He also added that government has no doubt that the vision which informed huge investment made on the inland waterways sub sector will encourage private sector participation which will in-turn lead to rewarding returns.
Similarly, the minister stated that government is pursuing the delivery of an efficient intra-coastal system to reduce the pressure on the nation's road transport network in conveying bulk cargoes over long distance at very low rates.
"The process of concessioning of the port is in progress with the appointment of a transaction adviser to midwife the process, who has a contractual obligation to conclude the process for concessioning within six months"
"Other major River ports located at Baro in Niger state, Oguta in Imo state and Lokoja in Kogi state are also being constructed as well as several jetties in various communities across the country "
Earlier in her remark, the Managing Director of NIWA; Hajiya Mariam Ciroma stated that the federal government has also approved the rehabilitation of the Onitsha River port which is being put up for concessioning by Messrs Green Stratos of india.
She said the project is under the supervision of the ICRC with the objective of ensuring maximum utilisation of the dredged River Niger.
Speaking on the exhihibition, she said that, "the authority thought it wise to bring together various stakeholders in the inland waterways sub sector in a gathering to dialogue and exchange ideas as to the sustainability, safety and utilisation of our inland waterways including the tourism potentials for the growth and development of the economy".
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