The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, has vowed to stimulate economic activities in the Delta Port area.
The measures may have begun with the repair of some tug boats and a Pilot Cutters to facilitate trade and boost efficiency at ports. However, the most crucial measure capital dredging of the channel leading to the ports to increase their capacity to handle bigger vessels is yet to be effected.
Usman spoke at the just-concluded stakeholders’ forum organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Warri, Delta State.
She said the meeting was part of the Federal Government’s efforts through the NPA, NIMASA, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and other agencies to reposition the Delta ports for rapid economic activities.
Delta Shippers’ Association (DELSA) president, Dr. Austin Egbegbadia said Delta ports are strategically located to enhance the growth and development of the economy.
The short distance in moving cargoes to catchment states of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Edo, Kogi, and even Abuja, Benue, Katsina and Kano is one of the factors counting in favour of Delta ports. Others, according to him, are the fact that four full-fledged ports are in the area, giving shippers a variety of choices; excellent cargo delivery of cargo gears; quick turnaround time for vessels; fast identification and documentation of cargoes as well as optimum security of cargoes.
While allying the fear of importers and exporters, he said the group had decided to promote the ports to boost merchant shipping and add significant value to the economy of the region as far as non-oil exports are concerned.
“Some of the challenges we are facing is the erroneous perception that the Delta ports are unsafe to both local and international investors. This hype is largely fermented by mischievous elements whose sole purpose is to draw some sort of gain by such derogatory news,” he said.
Egbegbadia called for the dredging of the Escravos Bar that leads into the Warri ports.
