Onitsha River Port To Commence Full Operations By Q1 of 2021
…As NIWA Transfers First Set of Containers by Barge
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has said that full official operations would commence at the Onitsha River Port by first quarter of year 2021, even as the agency has test runned the transfer of containers to the port by barge.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting General Manager Corporate Affairs of NIWA, Mr. Jibril Darda’u, the agency has commenced test running of moving containers from Onne Port to Onitsha River port recently.
According to him, the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu during the arrival of the containers from Onne at Onitsha River Port said the aim of the test run is to break the jinx and encourage the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) that is possible to move containers from Onne to Onitsha by water successfully and Onitsha to Onne as well
Moghalu said, “This is the first phase of the test run and the second phase will be from Lagos Ports to Onitsha River port and Onitsha to Lagos”
He stated that NIWA is giving good exemplary leadership to all investors that moving goods on the waterways is economically viable and safe, so that investors can key in and benefit the potentials of water transportation.
The Managing Director also added that part of his commitment since he assumed duty as MD is to ensure that the Onitsha port is fully functional after 42 years of construction and commissioning in 2012 but has not been put to use.
He said the exercise is in preparation of the full official operation of the port which will commence by first quarter of 2021.
The Managing Director also said, “There is no doubt that the full operation of the River port will boost Economic activities in Anambra State and south east, create jobs and wealth for our teaming youths, reduce bottle neck in clearing goods and save money wasted in transporting containers from different port to the south east, decongest our ports in Lagos and reduce the pressure on our roads”.
