Posted by By Anayo Okoli on
THERE are indications that the Onitsha Sea Ports complex may become functional before long. This followed a lease arrangement said to be in the pipe line between an indigenous company, Inland Containers and the Federal Government for activation and management of the company.
AWKA - THERE are indications that the Onitsha Sea Ports complex may become functional before long. This followed a lease arrangement said to be in the pipe line between an indigenous company, Inland Containers and the Federal Government for activation and management of the company. The proposed lease agreement is for 25 years on the terms of Rehabilitate, Operate and Transfer [ROT].
Also, Senator Joy Emodi representing Anambra North Senatorial District has mounted pressure on the Federal Government to ensure that the ports take off to enhance the economic activities of the people of the area as well as create jobs.
Emodi called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency complete the abandoned Onitsha seaports complex, noting that it would amount to a big waste to allow all the structures already in place at the complex to rot away. Emodi said that Onitsha parts complex would be of great importance to the nation as it would create jobs and enhance economic activities.
Emodi also urged the Government to commence an intensive work on the Niger Bridge, lamenting that going by the amount of vibration on the bridge it might collapse if nothing serious and very urgent is done on it. According to her the bridge would be a valuable asset to the ports.
Senator Emodi who was on oversight functions to see some Federal Government projects in her senatorial district also visited an erosion site at Iyiowa Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government council. Accompanied by a large crowd of her supporters from the zone, she lamented the millions of naira sunk into the abandoned Onitsha Ports complex, and called on the Government to reactivate the ports as a matter of urgency.
Emodi who was earlier told by the General Manager of the ports, Engr. Charles Ogbuli that a company, Inland Containers, has applied to run the ports on a 25 year lease term of Rehabilitate, Operate and transfer (ROT), said her concern was for the ports to be functional to the benefits of the society.
She said the sum of N200 million has been appropriated for the ports in this year's budget. She however said that if the ROT arrangement reactivates the ports, she would work for the N200 million to be used to construct a jetty at Aguleri to enhance the ports.
As confirmed by the General Manager in charge of the ports, Engr. Ogbuli, nothing is going on at the ports complex, except skeletal statutory duty of the staff of Federal Inland Waters. The port is over 30% completed before it was abandoned.
'I am here to see what is happening at the port. It is regrettable that a big viable complex like this port was abandoned for years in spite of the huge taxpayers money already sunk into it. There is great and urgent economic need for the ports to be completed and made functional.
'Onitsha being a commercial; city, there is need for the sea ports to be completed. It will create jobs and improve the nation''s earnings. I have seen things for myself. A lot of effort and funds have been injected into this project and we will not allow them to go like that. This is a great vision for the country. I will work heard with the Federal Government to ensure that the ports is completed and made functional. This is part of the promise I made to my supporters during my campaign.
'I am working hard with the Senate Committee on Marine Transport. N200 million has been appropriated for the ports. I am also liaising with the Senate Committee on Works for the collapsing Niger Bridge. I know that the N200 million cannot go anywhere, I am making effort to see that more money is allocated. My interest is for the port to be functional. You talked of lease, whether on lease or not, my genuine interest is for the ports to be functional and enhance the life of the people. I will continue to push until it becomes functional.
'There is very need for Onitsha to have a sea port. It will not only enhance the nation's economy but create jobs also. Any way they want to do it, let it be functional. I have done my homework at Abuja before coming down here.
'We also saw the Niger Bridge. It has weakened a great deal. On top of the bridge, we felt heavy vibration, which confirms the complaints of the people. I am here to bring these problems to the attention of the Federal Government. My aim is to see that things are right. I want to make this zone a model zone," Senator Emordi said.