Saraki, during the signing of the
concession of the port on Thursday in Abuja, said the port had lots of economic
benefits to the country.
According to her, the port will among other
things, ensure the 60 per cent shiped cargoes which hitherto goes through Onne
port to Onitsha to be transported directly.
”So there is a lot of economic growth,
there is going to be creation of wealth, creation of jobs, security and greater
development.
”We hope it is a catalyst for other river
ports, so that it will decongest other ports and bring about growth.
”You know the traffic on our road, the
state of our roads as well as the tankers, and freight being moved on our roads
have now reduced.
”And so it is a very good thing and we are
exceptionally proud that at long last we have actually achieved this.
”It’s being signed and we look forward to
the growth there to materialise,”Saraki said.
According to the minister, the Baro, Lokoja
and Oguta ports, which are at different stages of completion, will be
considered after the onitsha port.
”The most important thing is that we
already have interest from potential investors who want to actually take over
this.”
The Managing Director, the National Inland
Waterways Authority, (NIWA) Dr George Moghalu, said the Onitsha port would
reduce the volume of cargoes transported via roads to the South East.
Moghalu said:”Our roads are not designed to
carry the kind of weight they are carrying.
”Over 60 per cent of the containers that
arrive Nigeria through Onne, Tin Can or Apapa port ends up in Onitsha and what
it translates is that these containers are moved by trailers.
”Onitsha port is very well positioned to
play a key role in addressing this if opportunities are provided.”
He commended the concessioneers in the
efforts they were already making in bringing in investors into the country.
Moghalu also expressed hope that the
concessioing would open up opportunities for other ports in the country to be
given due considerations.
Meanwhile, the Acting Director-General,
Infrastructure Concesion Regulatory Commission,(ICRC) Mr Michael Ohiani,
reiterated that the 30 years concession would generate over N23 billion to the
government.
He said:”After rigorous procurement
process, Universal Elysium Consortium emerged as the preferred concessionaire
for the concession of Onitsha River Port.
”Over the 30-year concession period, the
concessionaire will be responsible for all the activities and maintenance of
the port.
”The asset along with the entire
infrastructure will be returned to the authorities at the end of the concession
period.
”The redevelopment of Onitsha River Port is
seen as a boost to commercial activities in the South East.
”Importers and traders from the commercial
towns of Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba and Ogbete-Enugu see the relaunch as a welcome
development from the Federal Government.
”The port will serve as an alternative mode
of transporting goods from Lagos and Port Harcourt by road.