The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has expressed optimism that the long-awaited dredging of the Escravos bar that had impeded the coming in of big vessels and other ocean going barges to Warri Port will soon begin.
The Escravos Bar dredging is part of measures being put in place to make the seaport commercially viable.Hadiza Usman, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to support the completion of all deep sea Ports projects across the country, considering their potential to the future maritime activities of the nation
Speaking through the Executive Director, Marine Operations of the NPA, Sekonte Davies Usman disclosure at a stakeholders meeting held in Warri yesterday, that NPA board had concluded all necessary feasibility studies on the dredging and has received ministerial approval, since past few months
She said that Warri Port was one of the ports that had suffered so much in the past due to shallow waters, and controversies surrounding the dredging of the channel, but , she assured that the exercise will be done this time around .“We have briefed the stakeholders on the efforts that the authority has made in the provision of tugboats, provision of pilot cutters which will be commissioned in August 2018 and also our intention to commence the dredging within the Escravos Bar.
Usman called on all the stakeholders to ensure peace in the region ,so that work will not stop for any other reason“We have reached an advanced stage in our procurement process to enable us provide the dredging works and the navigational aid for Escravos Bar. “This is why we are primarily here to dialogue on how we can ensure that traffic comes to Delta ports and all the eastern ports of the country.
In his own remarks, Port Manager, Warri Port, Mr S.O Okeke, said:: “Several positive developments had been achieved by the current management, as the port is fully illuminated”.He noted that documentation and payment process have been improved in Delta Ports owing to facilities provided by thid current management, through e-payment, e SEN and revenue invoicing management system(RIMS).In his own remarks, Olu of Warri, Ogiamen Ikenwoli II while receiving the NPA management in his palace commended NPA for repositioning the Warri port for greater efficiency.
He urged promised to collaborate with the NPA in its efforts to make the port a hub of maritime activities. Stakeholders at the meeting commended NPA, stressing that the deployment of the tug boats and the pilot cutters would assist the port in boosting government revenue
It would be recalled that the Federal Government has approved the dredging of the Escravos Bar of Warri Port at a cost of N13 billion.The contract sum would also finance the replacement of the bad navigational aids at the seaport.
The Escravos Bar dredging is part of measures being put in place to make the seaport commercially viable.Neglect of the port had impeded the coming in of big vessels and other ocean going barges to Warri Port.
For a better society
The post NPA reiterates commitment on dredging Port channel appeared first on Champion Newspapers Limited.