NIWA collaborates with Navy to Protect Onitsha River Port bound Cargoes
National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has revealed that it has concluded arrangements to partner with the Nigerian Navy to ensure the protection of Onitsha River Port-bound cargoes.
Managing Director of the agency, Chief George Moghalu, made the disclosure at the annual Ministerial press briefing on landmark programmes, projects and activities of the Ministry of Transportation and its agencies held in Abuja on Thursday.
The NIWA MD further announced that following federal government’s approval to concession Onitsha Seaport, the Port will formally resume full operational activities next month after the Memorandum of Understanding between the federal government and the concessioners.
“Let me confirm to you that the federal government has approved the concessioning of the Onitsha River Port. We have concluded everything and would have resumed operations April 1st because the concessioners are in a hurry to start, but it will now resume next month after the signing of the MoU, which is currently undergoing final scrutiny. Let me also disclose that NIWA is collaborating with the Navy to ensure the protection of cargoes to the Onitsha Seaports,” he said.
Enumerating the achievements recorded by the agency, Moghalu said: “the use of the inland waterways in carriage of goods and persons is beginning to impact the national economy. Some of the major strides in that subsector within the period under review include: construction of warehouse and completion of jetty at Odekpe, Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State.
“Reconstruction/rehabilitation of Warri Wooden jetty to concrete jetty; construction of ferry ramp at Jen, Taraba, Anambra States, shore protection work on River Niger at Jamata inland River Port; acquisition of five marine craft for Port Harcourt area office for more River training works. Regular clearing of water hyacinth, debris and obstructions on inland waterways and commencement of online boat registration,” he highlighted.
