FG to complete Lokoja, Idah river ports

*As maintenance dredging of river Niger commences

Following the flag off of the maintenance dredging of river Niger, the federal government has again reiterated its assurance to complete the on-going construction of Lokoja and Idah River ports in Kogi state.

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, gave the assurance at the weekend while flagging-off the maintenance dredging along Ajaokuta-Onitsha Waterways Channel.

The minister stated that the commitment of the Buhari-led administration to complete all the on-going waterways projects across the country is aimed at boosting navigation industry in Nigeria.

Amaechi disclosed that the maintenance dredging of the Ajaokuta-Onitsha Water Channel will cost the federal government the sum of N44billion of which N38billion has been paid to mobilize contractor to site to ensure early completion of the project.

He however noted that the federal government has realised that the project could be executed through direct labour with the sum of N10billion only and advised the National Inland Waterways Authority to embrace direct labour approach in carrying out its projects to reduce cost.

The minister also re-stated the resolve of the present administration in Nigeria to continue to provide the people with enough democracy dividends in order to improve upon their living conditions “We are utilizing the resources at our disposal to work and get results in lifting Nigeria to the next level”

He commended the management of the National Inland Waterways Authority for making good use of its budgetary allocation to boost water transportation saying that the dredging of the River Niger will create employment and enhance economic and business activities of riverine communities across the country.

Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in his goodwill message during the Flag-Off, lauded the federal government for the establishment of two river ports in the state and stressed that the dredging project will facilitate the smooth operations of the ports.

He called on the Ajaokuta community to co-operate with the contractor handling the maintenance dredging just as he promised of the state government support for the success of the project.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways, Boss Mustapha, emphasized the need of embracing the spirit of maintenance culture in the business of navigation industry.

Mustapha who described water transportation as critical to the nation’s development said that it is the most sustainable means of moving goods and services within and outside the country.

The Managing Director promised that his organization will ensure proper supervision of the maintenance work with a view to making the contractor handling the job to execute it according to the contract specifications.