Members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) on Monday expressed concern about the delay in dredging the Calabar Port, saying it was affecting prices of goods coming in through the Lagos ports.
They expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
Mr Iniobong Jackson, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River/Akwa Ubom Chapter, told NAN that the non-functioning of the port was drastically impeding the growth of business in the two states.
Members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) on Monday expressed concern about the delay in dredging the Calabar Port, saying it was affecting prices of goods coming in through the Lagos ports.
They expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
Mr Iniobong Jackson, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River/Akwa Ubom Chapter, told NAN that the non-functioning of the port was drastically impeding the growth of business in the two states.
Jackson said that his members import their goods through the Lagos ports, adding that bringing goods from Lagos to Calabar had negative consequences, especially on the prices of the products.
“Everybody knows that if we import directly from Calabar port, goods will be cheaper and more affordable by consumers.
“When we import from Lagos and transport it down to Calabar, the consumers will definitely feel the pulse.
“Dredging of Calabar port is very important and government should not fail to think of how to work on the port.
“We have been hearing about dredging of Calabar port by successive administrations but today nothing is happening,’’ the industrialist told NAN.
Jackson commended the governor of Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade, for promising to revive the port to boost economic activities in the state.
He described the move as a welcome development, adding that the problem of the port required political will.
“We only hope he (governor) will keep up with the promise, ‘’ he said.
He, however, stressed the need for the governor to partner with the private sector in actualising the initiative.
“We hope he will consult the operators, ‘’ the industrialist said.
Mr Godwin Okwu, the Public Relations Officer, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Cross River Chapter, said lack of activities in the port was a set-back to cocoa business in the state.
Okwu said that Cross River was one of the largest producers of cocoa in Nigeria although farmers had to pass through Lagos port to export the commodity.
“Honestly, it is actually affecting our cocoa business. It would have been easier for us to pass through Calabar Port than through Lagos.
“Moreover, the use of Calabar port will increase business activities because some of our buyers will even want to come and stay in Calabar and this will create more job opportunities for our people.
“The income of farmers will also increase because exporting through Calabar Port will boost trade in cocoa production, ‘’ Okwu told NAN.
He commended the governor for his efforts aimed at dredging the port as part of his signature project in the state.
“Once that port is dredged, the economy of the state will blossom, ‘’ he said.
A port operator, Mr Limson Eta, told NAN that only small vessels were presently transporting petroleum products for tank farm operators in the Free Trade Zone.
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