On-federal-government-plans-to-move-cargoes-by-barges-to-onitsha-the-need-for-practical-action-plans-to-make-this-and-other-coastal-areas-of-the-niger-delta-region-a-reality
September 7, 2020 | News
ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLANS TO MOVE CARGOES BY BARGES TO ONITSHA – THE NEED FOR PRACTICAL ACTION PLANS TO MAKE THIS, AND OTHER COASTAL AREAS OF THE NIGER DELTA REGION A REALITY
With recent reports that Heads of the Maritime agencies in Nigeria have agreed to work on modalities for the movement of cargoes by barges from Lagos Ports to Onitsha in Anambra State, so as to ease traffic in Apapa, I believe there is need for the Federal Government and relevant agencies in the Maritime industry to back their words with concrete and practical actions to make this a reality, by re-dredging all the other shallow waters in the coastal areas of the Niger Delta region, specifically those in the Burutu, Sapele, Okwagbe, Warri and environs areas of Delta State, that were once active in the past. And also put measures in place for the maintenance and sustainability of these natural water ways.
This outcry is hinged on the fact that there has been a National Inland Water Ways Authorities in Onitsha, Okpare, Okwagbe in Ughelli South LGA, Burutu in Burutu LGA and Warri in Delta State, right from Colonial era, where some light Cargoes used to be moved to Onitsha from the Warri Wharf, now called NPA Warri. There is a National Inland Water Ways Authorities yard, off Warri/Sapele road in Warri. This was located just by the Former Shell Ramp/Shell club area near Enerhen junction in Warri, Delta State. Opposite this area is called Marine Quarters up till date, and the workers of the then National Inland Water Ways Authorities lived there in those days. Back in those days, the rivers were deep to allow the movements of light barges/vessels. But there was no action plan by the Federal Government of the day, after the National Party of Nigeria (NPN)/Shagari administration.
As of today, the rivers have become too shallow for barges/vessels to cross. There was also the Okpare/Iwhrekan towns Wharf in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, which was used by the then John Holt Company and African Trading Company (ATC) for offloading and loading of light cargoes/vessels to transport raw materials to the then Warri Wharf (now NPA) for export. But today, all of that is history, as there were no maintenance culture and sustainability plan in place for these Nigerian Water ways in Delta State, to remain active till date. Once the rivers are not dredged, they would become shallow after some time. The saddest part is that today people are deliberately building houses in these water ways by filling them to reclaim the lands. The question is, why do they abandon the development of our Sea ports and natural water ways?
Come to think of it, is Warri not nearer to Onitsha by the river Niger and land route? So, why plan to transport cargoes from Apapa Lagos Ports to Onitsha through the water ways? Does top management of the Maritime Authorities not aware of the Geographical location of Onitsha and Warri or what?
And also, some of the bridges that were built around the water ways in question, were built without the consideration of marine transportation. In these modern days, bridges are built in such a way that they can open for vessels/ships to sail through from one point to another. Just like we see them in places like Amsterdam, London and other cities in the world. So, what plans are those in the Nigerian maritime industry and the Government have in this regard? Are they even putting this into consideration when building bridges today?
I have always wondered why should a country as big as Nigeria that is blessed beyond measure with so many coastal regions, especially in the Delta region areas of Delta State, be only known to have two functional Ports – Onne and Lagos Ports? Whereas, there are many other Ports, like that of Warri, Sapele, Okwagbe and Burutu Ports, which have been left to decay and not functioning as they ought to. Delta State, is one State in the country that is immensely blessed with natural coastal regions/areas that have remained untapped economic opportunities, which can attract tourism opportunities as well. One of such is the Okwagbe Wharf, which was initially used by the Portuguese and the British Colonial Masters for their merchant/slave trades. This same Okwagbe Warf, is not only strategically located, but can also become a major economic transformation for Delta State, as well as the country as a whole, if well developed.
Why should we have the concentration of Port activities within the Maritime industry in Onne (Port-Harcourt), and Apapa, Tin can (Lagos) – leaving other Ports like Delta Ports Complex not working as they should? Is it not appalling that majority of the goods imported into Nigeria come only from the Lagos Ports, which leaves a large number of people from other regions in Lagos State alone for various importation business activities? This lopsided ‘Political Economy of Nigeria’, is definitely not good for the country, as it will not encourage any significant economic growth.
Though, reports also noted that the said Heads of the Maritime agencies agreed to work with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on how movement of cargoes from the Ports can be done by rail to reduce the pressure on our roads, the truth is that the importance of Deep Seaports to any society cannot be overemphasized. The Sea Ports are important economic activities in coastal areas. The higher the transportation of goods and passengers’ year-on-year, the more infrastructure, provisions and associated services are required. These will bring various degrees of benefits to the economy and to the country. Ports are also important for the support of economic activities in the hinterland since they act as a crucial connection between sea and land transport. As a supplier of enormous job opportunities, Ports do not only serve an economic but also a social function. It is a known fact that the transportation sector is a strong factor in terms of economic and regional balanced development, as well as also having a great influence on national integration to the world economic market. Perhaps, that is why sea transport, which involves Ports - constitute an important economic activity in coastal areas. In terms of load carried, seaway transportation is the cheapest and most effective transportation system compared to other systems. Industries require a safe and cheap means of exporting finished goods and importing raw materials. Hence the majority of industries in the world are located in the coastal belts, in the vicinity of major ports. These industries in turn, influence the lives of the employees and indirect benefactors of that economy.
Mind you, Warri (Delta) Port, as it is fondly called, is said to possess immense potentials, and is tagged “The Port of the future” by the Nigerian Ports Authorities (NPA). Its uniqueness includes accessibility and proximity to States of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, Benue, Abuja, etc compared with other operational ports in the country. According to NPA, “There is the emergence of new growth drivers in the export of gas by the EGTL (Escravos Gas To Liquid) facilities whose production and capacity is next to non in the country”. The Delta Port Manager, Mr. Okeke Simeon Okeke, is reported to have spoken about the challenges facing the Ports which have reduced its activities “to near zero”. The report highlighted government neglect, encroachment by host communities, and the need to dredge the port to attract bigger vessels. Mr. Okeke also stated that the revenue generated between 2007 and 2016 was $607.7m, while revenue collected amounted to $1.2347m. We can see the viability and the importance of getting the Warri Port functional again by all means and as soon as practicable. It will address a whole lot of issues in Delta State from youth violence (restiveness), criminal activities, unemployment, and also drastically transform the State’s economy as well as to add to the nation’s growth.
Zik Gbemre.
August 19, 2020
We Mobilize Others TO Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
With recent reports that Heads of the Maritime agencies in Nigeria have agreed to work on modalities for the movement of cargoes by barges from Lagos Ports to Onitsha in Anambra State, so as to ease traffic in Apapa, I believe there is need for the Federal Government and relevant agencies in the Maritime industry to back their words with concrete and practical actions to make this a reality, by re-dredging all the other shallow waters in the coastal areas of the Niger Delta region, specifically those in the Burutu, Sapele, Okwagbe, Warri and environs areas of Delta State, that were once active in the past. And also put measures in place for the maintenance and sustainability of these natural water ways.
This outcry is hinged on the fact that there has been a National Inland Water Ways Authorities in Onitsha, Okpare, Okwagbe in Ughelli South LGA, Burutu in Burutu LGA and Warri in Delta State, right from Colonial era, where some light Cargoes used to be moved to Onitsha from the Warri Wharf, now called NPA Warri. There is a National Inland Water Ways Authorities yard, off Warri/Sapele road in Warri. This was located just by the Former Shell Ramp/Shell club area near Enerhen junction in Warri, Delta State. Opposite this area is called Marine Quarters up till date, and the workers of the then National Inland Water Ways Authorities lived there in those days. Back in those days, the rivers were deep to allow the movements of light barges/vessels. But there was no action plan by the Federal Government of the day, after the National Party of Nigeria (NPN)/Shagari administration.
As of today, the rivers have become too shallow for barges/vessels to cross. There was also the Okpare/Iwhrekan towns Wharf in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, which was used by the then John Holt Company and African Trading Company (ATC) for offloading and loading of light cargoes/vessels to transport raw materials to the then Warri Wharf (now NPA) for export. But today, all of that is history, as there were no maintenance culture and sustainability plan in place for these Nigerian Water ways in Delta State, to remain active till date. Once the rivers are not dredged, they would become shallow after some time. The saddest part is that today people are deliberately building houses in these water ways by filling them to reclaim the lands. The question is, why do they abandon the development of our Sea ports and natural water ways?
Come to think of it, is Warri not nearer to Onitsha by the river Niger and land route? So, why plan to transport cargoes from Apapa Lagos Ports to Onitsha through the water ways? Does top management of the Maritime Authorities not aware of the Geographical location of Onitsha and Warri or what?
And also, some of the bridges that were built around the water ways in question, were built without the consideration of marine transportation. In these modern days, bridges are built in such a way that they can open for vessels/ships to sail through from one point to another. Just like we see them in places like Amsterdam, London and other cities in the world. So, what plans are those in the Nigerian maritime industry and the Government have in this regard? Are they even putting this into consideration when building bridges today?
I have always wondered why should a country as big as Nigeria that is blessed beyond measure with so many coastal regions, especially in the Delta region areas of Delta State, be only known to have two functional Ports – Onne and Lagos Ports? Whereas, there are many other Ports, like that of Warri, Sapele, Okwagbe and Burutu Ports, which have been left to decay and not functioning as they ought to. Delta State, is one State in the country that is immensely blessed with natural coastal regions/areas that have remained untapped economic opportunities, which can attract tourism opportunities as well. One of such is the Okwagbe Wharf, which was initially used by the Portuguese and the British Colonial Masters for their merchant/slave trades. This same Okwagbe Warf, is not only strategically located, but can also become a major economic transformation for Delta State, as well as the country as a whole, if well developed.
Why should we have the concentration of Port activities within the Maritime industry in Onne (Port-Harcourt), and Apapa, Tin can (Lagos) – leaving other Ports like Delta Ports Complex not working as they should? Is it not appalling that majority of the goods imported into Nigeria come only from the Lagos Ports, which leaves a large number of people from other regions in Lagos State alone for various importation business activities? This lopsided ‘Political Economy of Nigeria’, is definitely not good for the country, as it will not encourage any significant economic growth.
Though, reports also noted that the said Heads of the Maritime agencies agreed to work with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on how movement of cargoes from the Ports can be done by rail to reduce the pressure on our roads, the truth is that the importance of Deep Seaports to any society cannot be overemphasized. The Sea Ports are important economic activities in coastal areas. The higher the transportation of goods and passengers’ year-on-year, the more infrastructure, provisions and associated services are required. These will bring various degrees of benefits to the economy and to the country. Ports are also important for the support of economic activities in the hinterland since they act as a crucial connection between sea and land transport. As a supplier of enormous job opportunities, Ports do not only serve an economic but also a social function. It is a known fact that the transportation sector is a strong factor in terms of economic and regional balanced development, as well as also having a great influence on national integration to the world economic market. Perhaps, that is why sea transport, which involves Ports - constitute an important economic activity in coastal areas. In terms of load carried, seaway transportation is the cheapest and most effective transportation system compared to other systems. Industries require a safe and cheap means of exporting finished goods and importing raw materials. Hence the majority of industries in the world are located in the coastal belts, in the vicinity of major ports. These industries in turn, influence the lives of the employees and indirect benefactors of that economy.
Mind you, Warri (Delta) Port, as it is fondly called, is said to possess immense potentials, and is tagged “The Port of the future” by the Nigerian Ports Authorities (NPA). Its uniqueness includes accessibility and proximity to States of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, Benue, Abuja, etc compared with other operational ports in the country. According to NPA, “There is the emergence of new growth drivers in the export of gas by the EGTL (Escravos Gas To Liquid) facilities whose production and capacity is next to non in the country”. The Delta Port Manager, Mr. Okeke Simeon Okeke, is reported to have spoken about the challenges facing the Ports which have reduced its activities “to near zero”. The report highlighted government neglect, encroachment by host communities, and the need to dredge the port to attract bigger vessels. Mr. Okeke also stated that the revenue generated between 2007 and 2016 was $607.7m, while revenue collected amounted to $1.2347m. We can see the viability and the importance of getting the Warri Port functional again by all means and as soon as practicable. It will address a whole lot of issues in Delta State from youth violence (restiveness), criminal activities, unemployment, and also drastically transform the State’s economy as well as to add to the nation’s growth.
Zik Gbemre.
August 19, 2020
We Mobilize Others TO Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes