In a move aimed at finding lasting solutions to the lingering poor access road to various ports in Rivers state, the zonal coordinator in charge of the South -south Zone of the Nigeran Shippers’ Council; Mr Maurice Effanga and his counterpart at the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA); Engr Mpakaboari Young-Harry have met in Port Harcourt.
In a move aimed at finding lasting solutions to the lingering poor access road to various ports in Rivers state, the zonal coordinator in charge of the South -south Zone of the Nigeran Shippers’ Council; Mr Maurice Effanga and his counterpart at the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA); Engr Mpakaboari Young-Harry have met in Port Harcourt.
The meeting which took place at the office of FERMA was at the instance of the Nigeria Shippers Council’s Zonal Coordinator, who had earlier approached FERMA boss in the zone, seeking for audience to discuss on how best to address the poor state of Port Harcourt Port road, and the Akpajo- Eleme – Onne road, all in Rivers State.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Effanga told his host that the purpose of the visit was to draw the attention of FERMA on the poor state of the access roads to Eastern ports, particularly the Akpajo – Eleme – Onne access roads and that of Port Harcourt port road.
Mr Effanga described NSC and FERMA, as two Federal Government Agencies that share common interest on state of roads.
He said NSC was established in 1978 to protect the interest of Nigerian shippers. He said since shippers use roads to and from ports, it is imperative for the council to be concerned about the state of port access roads, which he observed have direct impact on importers, exporters and others involved in the shipping activities.
Effanga told FERMA that since the federal government appointed NSC as port economic regulator,it places a responsibility on the commission to take steps that will improve port access roads, thereby impacting positively on shippers, consumers, service providers and other stakeholders.
“In the course of protecting such vested interest, we decided to embark on sensitization efforts, by acquitting stakeholders like FERMA and Federal Ministry of Works on the need for good organizational relationships that can give rise to improving on the state of port access roads, not only the Onne, Port Harcourt ports, but across ports in the country”, Mr Effanga stated.
He pleaded with FERMA in the South – South Zone to try and do their best to improve Eleme/Akpajo/Onne Port road, which he said is presently in bad and deplorable conditions.
“We have come to them to fix the roads to allow for smooth movement of containers to various warehouses. This is because Onne port is a beehive of activities and bad road will punctuate smooth operations of the activities”, Mr Effanga added.
Responding, the Zonal Coordinator of FERMA South – South Engr Mpakaboari Young – Harry thanked Mr Effanga and his team for coming, and said the issue of road improvement is the essence of FERMA’s operations.
“As an agency, we maintain the federal roads, and try to make them motorable”, Engr Young – Harry said.
He observed that his agency is also concerned about the state of Akpajo-Eleme-Onne road, observing that they are embarking on palliative work on the road to make it motorable. Engr Young – Harry added that there is an on-going contract to upgrade the roads.
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