FG’S N84b river ports investments underutilised, struggle to attract traffic
Tthe huge investments made, such as the N2.7billon Oguta ov er N8 4 billion River port among others. Federal Government’s These developments have investments in river ports made stakeholders question across the countr y ha ve why these investments have remained underutilised, not translated into the anticdeserted and strug gling to ipated economic benefits attract maritime traffic, findsuch as billions of Naira in ings have revealed. revenue and massive For instance, the Baro River employment opportunities. port in Niger state, with an Vice Chairman of the investment exceeding N40 Business Action Against billion, has remained dorCorruption ( BAAC) Integrity mant and inaccessible, failAlliance, Lagos, Jonathan ing to live up to expectations Nicol, said river ports like as a bustling hub for shipOnitsha depend on the periping and trade. odic tides and can function Also, the Onitsha River port more during the rainy seain Anambra state with a N30 sons. billion in vestment has He said other river ports are remained inactive, with only not functional due to low a handful of barges occasiontides and navigational ally gracing the facilities. draught problems, like that Lokoja river port in Kogi of Lokoja and Baro, includstate, despite gulping about ing Gelegele port in Benin N14 billion in in vestment, City, which can only use flat remains idle with no ves sel bottom vessels which are calling at the port. Other scarce. river ports ha ve also He added that the river remained inactive despite ports can also utilise the services of barges and movement of lighter materials to construction sites and equipment.
Speaking on the ports’ viability, Nicol said politicians always get involved in white elephant projects and are very keen to squander funds.
“The politicians have commissioned ports that cannot function, it is now left with the managers of the white elephant projects to manage. The private investment will make a feasibility report spanning up to 10 years, with the pros and cons of events and probably not post profits within the five years range,” he said.
Nicol noted that the inland river ports are lucky to have export proceeds but not large enough to keep them afloat with overflowing turnover, especially now that cargo is depleting.
Former Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers’ Council ( NSC), Hassan Bello, blamed the lack of regulation for the failed state of the river ports, saying the river ports are not functioning because they are shallow, uncharted and devoid of navigable aids. “Do you know the contributions of the Mississippi River to the United States economy? River ports must be integrated into the larger transport space with coordination, integration and flow,” he stated.
He noted that all three types of ports in the country, which include the seaports, inland dry ports, and the river ports have defied change and are underperforming, with port reforms abandoned.
Speaking on why the river ports have remained dormant, the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), which is the supervising agency, blamed the state of roads leading to the ports.