Onitsha port will ease transportation in South-East, South-South States ― Moghalu

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer(MD/CEO), National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), Chief George Moghalu has disclosed that talks on the concession of Onitsha Port as an inland waterway has reached an advanced stage and will soon be concluded.

In a keynote address delivered during the second sensitization seminar of stakeholders by NIWA in Onitsha on Tuesday, Moghalu said opportunities abound in the maritime sector that could lift the economy of Nigeria to greater heights, regretting that such has remained largely unexploited.

He assured that government has created the enabling environment for investors, especially the private sectors to operate with the aim of improving activities in Onitsha Port.

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“The port will create employment, reduce pressure on the roads especially transporting goods and wares from Lagos to Onitsha, as well as providing other marine services to the people, while investors should access the cabotage vessel financing fund to boost investment in shipbuilding repairs.

“Government’s attention is also directed towards ensuring safety and security in the nations’ waterways. NIWA is being repositioned to effectively partner the Navy, army,customs , Nigerian Security and Civil Defence, police etc in addressing the sector challenges which is important to the economic resurgence of Nigeria.

He explained that the federal government is working towards expansion of Onitsha Port, and other Ports including Baro and Lokoja river ports, which will be driven by the private sector, adding that Nigeria’s coastline of about 853km offers opportunity for high economic activities for cargo and passenger transport and fishing.

In her remark, Onitsha Director of NIWA, Mrs Telema Abbiba Obi, said they are working hard to ensure the Eastern Region comes to par with other thriving area offices of the Agency across the six Geo-political zones.