Onitsha Port Due for Commissioning- Umar

Federal Government has said the Onitsha port would be ready for operation in the second quarter of the year to ease transportation stress and reduce the sufferings of importers in the South-east zone of the country. With the development at Onitsha port, vessels and barges are expected to start loading and off-loading goods. The port would also create avenue for clearing and forwarding services. Senator Idris Umar, minister of Transport, speaking at Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2012, assured Nigerians that when operational, the port would reduce the sufferings of importers and enhance the economic activities in the country. He further described the port as strategic to the revival of erring industries in the South-eastern part of the country, maintaining that the Federal Government was ready to ensure the port and other infrastructure are kept in optimal function capacity. Umar hinted also that similar ports will be expanded in Deep Sea (Lekki), Ibaka (Akwa Ibom), Badagry and Olokola. The minister, apparently, stated that, “The capital dredging of Lower River Niger has been completed from Warri in Delta State to Baro in Niger State, while maintenance dredging is on. He urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to galvanize investment potentials inherent in the huge infrastructural development in the Inland Waterways to better the worth of the citizenry. “There is no gainsaying that in our quest to grow the sector to an enviable haven as been envisage, the human element remains as essential comportment to drive home the vision. On our part, efforts are being made to generate a robust human capital through training in some institutions of higher learning, seminars and conferences as necessary pillars of growth for the sector,” he added. Umar identified NIMAREX 2012 as a worthwhile project which serves the purpose. “NIMAREX 2012 is an initiative of Indigenous Ship owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) working in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport with the aim of showcasing Nigeria’s Maritime products and services. “It is gratifying to note that the strategic geographical location of Nigeria in Africa and the world economy, with regards to the fact that the Nation has had maritime operations for fifty years with articulated maritime insurance and laws, leave us with no choice but to accentuate the impotence of NIMAREX. Chijioke Egwuagu Collins, chairman planning committee of the NIMAREX Expo 2012, had earlier substantiated that the platform was conducive for blending-together local and international players and allied businesses for advancement of the sector, critical to the nation’s economy. “Our theme for NIMAREX 2012 is ‘Untapped Opportunities in the Maritime industry in an emerging economy,’ which we consider is very apt, in the face of the prevailing global crunch,” he explained. Collins also lauded unvarying commitments made by the government through legislations and policies geared towards unlocking the maritime potentials, especially as they benefit Nigerians.