Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday flagged-off the hydro graphic survey and dredging of Oguta/Orashi River in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.
The dredging of the river will link Imo to Degema in Rivers and to the Atlantic Ocean.
Speaking at the ceremony on the bank of the Oguta/Orashi River, Osinbajo said the project would connect waterways to hinterlands and expand Nigeria’s shipping and agricultural sectors.
He added that it would also expand Nigeria‘s free trade zone and facilitate her contribution to trade in Africa and the world.
He enjoined Nigerians to cooperate with Imo government and with the Nigerian Navy to ensure that the project came to fruition.
“Today marks an important milestone in the economic development of Imo; the Southeast and Nigeria at large and could not have come at a better time than now,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Imo’s Gov. Hope Uzodimma thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support in the recovery of Imo from the hands of bandits.
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He said the project would be executed through public-private partnership, and would create additional employment opportunities for Imo people.
“This project is a harbinger of several other multifaceted projects encapsulated in the socioeconomic development of Imo with capacity to equip the Southeast with a robust and self-sufficient economy.
“We shall establish an industrial cluster in the area to aid economic activities. Imo and the private sector will fund the project in synergy with the Nigerian Navy,’’ he said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor thanked President Buhari for the leverage to build the capacity of the Nigerian Navy and the military at large.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, in his remarks said the project would provide the enabling environment for wealth generation and movement of goods and services.
He called for a quick dredging of the access route and also thanked President Buhari for the provision of effective hydro graphic services.
He also thanked Uzodimma for partnering with the Nigerian Navy and called on the host communities to protect and preserve the legacy.
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