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The Nigerian Shippers Council on Thursday said Abia
Government’s failure to fulfill its obligations
was responsible for delay in the commencement of work in Isiala Ngwa dry port.
Government’s failure to fulfill its obligations
was responsible for delay in the commencement of work in Isiala Ngwa dry port.
The
Director of the council, South East, Mr Winner Anayo, disclosed this at a
Regional Dialogue on Policy Development Facility (PDF) in Abia.
Director of the council, South East, Mr Winner Anayo, disclosed this at a
Regional Dialogue on Policy Development Facility (PDF) in Abia.
PDF
is a flexible, rapid-response programme funded by the UK Aid Department for
International Development (DFID) targeted at providing support for Nigeria’s champions of change in government
to implement economic and social reforms.
is a flexible, rapid-response programme funded by the UK Aid Department for
International Development (DFID) targeted at providing support for Nigeria’s champions of change in government
to implement economic and social reforms.
The
theme of the session for the South East dialogue is “Improving
Trade Competitiveness and Business Environment in the South East.”
theme of the session for the South East dialogue is “Improving
Trade Competitiveness and Business Environment in the South East.”
Anayo, was responding to calls for
update on the Inland Container Depot (ICD) by the Special Adviser to Governor
Okezie Ikpeazu on Public Communications, Mr Sam Hart, during the session.
update on the Inland Container Depot (ICD) by the Special Adviser to Governor
Okezie Ikpeazu on Public Communications, Mr Sam Hart, during the session.
He said the state government was yet to provide
infrastructure such as roads other obligations for the project.
infrastructure such as roads other obligations for the project.
Anayo,
who stressed the state government’s
contribution to the delay, said concessionaires also added to the delay.
who stressed the state government’s
contribution to the delay, said concessionaires also added to the delay.
The
director, while responding to the call for Onitsha river port to be a
designated a port of origin and destination, said it could not be done now
until the river is dredged.
director, while responding to the call for Onitsha river port to be a
designated a port of origin and destination, said it could not be done now
until the river is dredged.
He
said the agency operating the Onitsha river port was only using it as a bonded
terminal pending further development of the port.
said the agency operating the Onitsha river port was only using it as a bonded
terminal pending further development of the port.
Anayo said the cost of transporting
goods from China to Apapa port was cheaper than from Apapa to Onne port because
of violence and militancy.
goods from China to Apapa port was cheaper than from Apapa to Onne port because
of violence and militancy.
“The major problem we have with moving goods to eastern
ports is that in modern shipping, shipping companies use large vessels and most
of them cannot come to the ports.
ports is that in modern shipping, shipping companies use large vessels and most
of them cannot come to the ports.
“So,
by the time they get to Lagos, they have to transship, using to flat bottom
vessels to bring the cargo to Port Harcourt port.
by the time they get to Lagos, they have to transship, using to flat bottom
vessels to bring the cargo to Port Harcourt port.
“But
again, because of insecurity in the Niger Delta, most of the shipping companies
are imposing what they call multi-risk surcharges.
again, because of insecurity in the Niger Delta, most of the shipping companies
are imposing what they call multi-risk surcharges.
“They
do this because most of the sea men will not want to come to Port Harcourt
until you pay extra charges as they regard the area as a war zone.
do this because most of the sea men will not want to come to Port Harcourt
until you pay extra charges as they regard the area as a war zone.
“That is the problem. So, we should
begin to talk to our youths to reduce militancy activities for businesses to
thrive in this area,” Anayo said.
begin to talk to our youths to reduce militancy activities for businesses to
thrive in this area,” Anayo said.
(NAN)
