President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned the N4.6billion Onitsha River port in Anambra state, saying that "it is part of government's reform agenda to develop waterways and boost the international trade".
The commissioning, which had been scooped by Shipping Position Daily on Monday was one of the highpoints of the President’s one day visit to Anambra state yesterday.
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned the N4.6billion Onitsha River port in Anambra state, saying that "it is part of government's reform agenda to develop waterways and boost the international trade".
The commissioning, which had been scooped by Shipping Position Daily on Monday was one of the highpoints of the President’s one day visit to Anambra state yesterday.
Jonathan stated that rehabilitation of the Onitsha River and other River ports across the country is geared towards exploring available opportunities to develop the nation's economy.
He noted that with the construction of River ports in focus, pressure on the seaports and airports will be reduced, adding that government's target is to link up these River Ports by rail and roads.
The President who landed at the Onitsha port in Air Force helicopter stated that other ports currently under-going construction must be completed within the stipulated time with a view to opening the economy for increased economic activities.
He said “as a nation, we must explore all the available opportunities we have to develop the economy, with these facilities; our target is to link up these ports to the rail lines and roads.
"We cannot develop the economy over night, we are on course, and we assure all Nigerians that our election promises shall be delivered.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar had stated that with the completion of port, the ministry will commence the concessioning process.
Umar disclosed that besides the construction of more jetties and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) request for the construction of more River ports are being evaluated.
The host Governor; Mr Peter Obi stated the construction of the port will not only add value to the economy of the Eastern region, it will also create employment for youths in the state.
Meanwhile, some maritime industry stakeholders have said that the operation of a river port in Onitsha would reduce the high cargo traffic at the Lagos ports.
The experts, who spoke at different times yesterday in reaction to the commissioning, said that the river port would serve as an alternative to Lagos ports.
They said that goods would move directly into the South Eastern part of the country through the port.
Mr Alex Peters, a marine engineer, described the inauguration of the Onitsha river port as a `wonderful achievement’ of the current administration.
He said that the port had been abandoned for so long after the inland port policy of the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd).
Peters said that the policy was meant to develop inland ports then, adding that the administration established an agency to implement the inland port policy.
He said the inland port policy was meant to open up the country for transportation of agricultural products from the hinterland to other places in the country.
Peters described the inland waterways as cheap ways to transport goods.
“It is a welcome development that this government pursued that agenda to develop the Onitsha river port,” he said.
Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the Founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), also said the inauguration of Onitsha river port would reduce pressure on the Lagos ports.
“The unintegrated system of transportation in Nigeria is not quite encouraging. Our ports are not linked with rail so that goods can move quickly.
“That is why our roads get easily damaged,” Aniebonam said.
Prince Olayiwola Shittu, the President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), also said that it was a thing of joy to rehabilitate the Onitsha river port.
“It is a thing of joy for us because it will ease our operations and we are going to set up a chapter of our association there to enable us do our work properly,’’ Shittu said.
Mr Jonathan Nicol, the Secretary General of Shippers’ Association of Lagos State, said that the inauguration of Onitsha river port was an achievement.
“Lagos is so congested. The Eastern cargoes can now go to either Port Harcourt or Onitsha and that will reduce pressure on Lagos roads.
“We commend the Federal Government for its initiative,” Nicol said.
He said that the operation of such a river port would reduce accidents and pressure on roads.
Mr Eugene Nweke, the President of NAGAFF, said that the Onitsha river port would reduce the heavy vehicular traffic on Onitsha-Benin-Ore expressway.
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