In a bid to make the nation’s waterways efficient and navigable, President Goodluck Jonathan has announced his administration approval of the dredging of River Benue at an estimated N25bn.
The President disclosed this Tuesday at the First International Conference and Exhibition organized by the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority tagged ‘Modernizing Inland Water infrastructure and Vessels for safe and sustainable inland waterways transportation in Nigeria.
The President who was represented by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar said the dredging would commence in few weeks.
The President said, “in order to further consolidate the transformation of the inland waterways sub sector, the federal Government has approved the dredging of River Benue while the process for the award of the contract for the construction of Makurdi River port is in progress.
He stated further, “To stimulate economic growth through our inland waterways, my administration has put in place necessary machinery to dredge River Benue.”
The President however assured that the effort of his administration was to create an enabling environment for private sector to thrive.
“Government has no doubt that the vision which informed huge investment made on the inland waterways sub-sector will encourage private sector participation which will lead to a rewarding return on investment,” the President said Stating that all River Ports would be concessioned upon completion.
“River ports located at Baro in Niger state, Oguta in Imo state and Lokoja in Kogi state are also being constructed with several jetties across the country. All the River ports will be concessioned to private sector upon completion.”
However, President Jonathan said his administration had also procured Patrol boats to provide security within the inland waterways.
He also added that his administration is vigorously pursuing the delivery of intra-coastal system to reduce pressure on the nation’s road transport network.
“To reduce the pressure on the country’s road transport network in conveying bulk Cargoes, my government is pursuing the delivery of an efficient intra-coastal system to reduce the pressure on the road in conveying bulk Cargoes over long distance at very low rates.”
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of NIWA, Hajia Maryam Ciroma said the conference was meant to gather stakeholders and intellectuals in the inland Waterways sub sector across the world to brainstorm and provide road map for repositioning and improving activities on Nigeria Inland waterways.
She stated further that the objective of the conference was to ensure maximum utilization of the dredged River Niger.
“For maximum utilization of the dredged River Niger, the authority thought it wise to bring together various stakeholders in the inland waterways sub sector in a gathering like this for dialogue and exchange of ideas as to the sustainability, safety and utilization of our inland waterways including the tourism potentials for the growth and development of our economy.”
Ciroma however disclosed to the gathering that the FG had approved the rehabilitation of the abandoned Onitsha River port, which was being put up for concessioning.
“For the dredged river Niger to be put into effective use, the FG approved the rehabilitation of the abandoned Onitsha River port which is being put up for concessioning by Messrs Green Stratos of India under the supervision of ICRC,” she revealed.
