Onitsha Port Opens

The Onitsha port project, that was conceived and awarded in 1983 during the administration of  President Shehu Shagari  will be open for use by February says the transport minister.

The project was abandoned midway while the infrastructure put in place were vandalized or had rotted  away.

The Transport Minister, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman said Onitsha Port would be commissioned in February. He  explained that the cargo handling equipment had already arrived at the inland port.

Suleiman added that works were also going on in other river ports, except Lokoja port, where there was  litigation. He stressed that vessels and barges would start loading and discharging goods at the port.  The port would also create avenue for clearing and forwarding services.

Suleiman said dredging of the River Niger from Warri to Jamata near Lokoja is 100 per cent ready. He  declared that once the buoys are installed, passenger ferry services on the River Niger would begin,  adding that the ferry services would reduce the number of people travelling by road.

He explained that petroleum marketers would also put the river to use in transporting their  consignments. The minister noted that there was need to hold a stakeholders’ sensitization forum for  the business community along the River Niger, promising that the rail services from Lagos to Jebba  would commence this month. The minister explained that rehabilitation works on the Lagos to Jebba  route was 100 per cent completed.

He added that the contract for rehabilitation of rail services from Jebba to Kano would be completed  in the next three months. According to him, before the end of this administration, full train services  would start from Jebba to Kano. The minister also said with all these, he has been able to achieve the  responsibilities he inherited, which he said gladdened his heart.