Kingsley Layefa
Burutu_______Efforts to decongest the Lagos ports gather momentum as the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) began the revamping of Burutu Port in Burutu LGA of Delta state.
While inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation work, the NIWA Managing Director, Dr. George Moghalu noted in a statement sent to Thepeoplesvoicengr that when the Burutu Port is completed, it shall serve as a trans-shipment of cargoes to hinterlands like Onitsha, Lokoja, Baro in Niger State, and others.
The managing director stated further that it will aid in decongesting the Lagos ports which will as well lessen the burden on Nigerian roads.
The statement reads in parts, “Burutu Port is very strategic; everyone is concerned about the decongestion of Lagos ports. We are also concerned on how to move cargoes to the hinterlands.
Our roads are not designed for the loads they currently carry; they are not designed to carry the weight they are carrying.
In a civilized democracy and advanced countries, bulk cargoes are most usually moved by air or water, and ours cannot be different. We have over 10,000km waterway, so what is required for us to do is to make our channels navigable all year round and put them into active use for the good of our people and country”.
While lauding the management team of Akewa-Colmar Terminal for the good work, Moghalu stated that the federal government’s concern was to put the port in good working condition in line with its diversification policies.
Speaking at the event also, the Senior Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Investment, Mr. Ebisinne Kofee Amasuomo reiterated the state government’s commitment to the project.
“The government is ready to give assistance for its seamless operation by way of providing security and enabling environment “, the statement said.
In another light, the chairman of Akewa-Colmar Terminal, Dr. Kenneth Duoye appreciated the National Inland Waterways Authority for pointing out that Burutu Port is strategic for trans-shipment hub for container transportation from Lagos/Onne to Onitsha.
