The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that no
fewer than 200 vessels now berth in the Warri Ports, Delta.
fewer than 200 vessels now berth in the Warri Ports, Delta.
This was made known during a Stakeholders Forum held on
Monday at the Warri Ports.
Monday at the Warri Ports.
The forum was at the instance of the visiting Chairman,
NPA Board of Directors, Mr. Emmnauel
Adesoye, who was on an on-the-spot assessment tour of the port facilities.
NPA Board of Directors, Mr. Emmnauel
Adesoye, who was on an on-the-spot assessment tour of the port facilities.
The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Usman was
represented at the event by Mr. Rufai
Mohammed.
represented at the event by Mr. Rufai
Mohammed.
Usman said the development had boost economic
activities in Warri and attributed the feat to President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to dredging the
escravos channel.
activities in Warri and attributed the feat to President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to dredging the
escravos channel.
She said the Federal Government was committed to improving
economic activities in the ports, adding that more dredging was being carried
out to accommodate bigger vessels in the Warri ports.
economic activities in the ports, adding that more dredging was being carried
out to accommodate bigger vessels in the Warri ports.
“Only the
regime of president Buhari has embarked on the dredging of the Warri ports,” Usman said.
regime of president Buhari has embarked on the dredging of the Warri ports,” Usman said.
She, however, appealed to stakeholders including host
communities to continue to maintain the existing peace in the area.
communities to continue to maintain the existing peace in the area.
Responding, Mr. Adesoye, who had earlier toured the NPA
facilities said there had been great improvement in the facilities compared to
what he observed in 2016 when he last visited the port.
facilities said there had been great improvement in the facilities compared to
what he observed in 2016 when he last visited the port.
According to him, the purpose of the visit is to have
an on-the-spot assessment of the progress made by the port since November 2016.
an on-the-spot assessment of the progress made by the port since November 2016.
“The
current challenge is about the issue of dredging the channels in the port,
particularly the terminals.
current challenge is about the issue of dredging the channels in the port,
particularly the terminals.
“We are
already taking action concerning it. So, there is no problem. No time frame,
but we are on it,” Adesoye
said.
already taking action concerning it. So, there is no problem. No time frame,
but we are on it,” Adesoye
said.
He also expressed satisfaction at the improved security
situation in the waterways, which according to him had led to more vessels
berthing at the port.
situation in the waterways, which according to him had led to more vessels
berthing at the port.
“The
number of ships has increased significantly and revenue has gone up.
number of ships has increased significantly and revenue has gone up.
“That is
what happens when there is unity among stakeholders, management and the
communities,” he said.
what happens when there is unity among stakeholders, management and the
communities,” he said.
However, the stakeholders in their presentations,
called for more security to enable them meet the global practice of 24 hours
shipping activities as against the current 6:00a.m to 6:00p.m system.
called for more security to enable them meet the global practice of 24 hours
shipping activities as against the current 6:00a.m to 6:00p.m system.
Agency Report
