Edith CHUKU
Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture WACCIMA, has joined other stakeholders to call for the immediate rehabilitation of the Warri and Koko Ports which they described as dormant.
WACCIMA noted that the ports when revitalised would ease pressure on congested facilities in Lagos, as well as, create jobs, attract investment and expand trade across the South-South region.
They also called on the federal authorities to address infrastructural constraints such as access roads, harbour draught challenges, insecurity and provide incentives that would encourage shipping companies to patronise the Delta ports.
Port operators also appealed to the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, to revive operations at the Warri and Koko ports, warning that continued inactivity was costing the region jobs and economic growth.
At WACCIMA’s Annual General Meeting in Warri, the port situation was described as stagnant.
A port agent, Mr Maxwell Etoroma, lamented that, “we just come to sit down every day, nothing is happening. For the past three weeks I have been in Warri, and we have not seen a single vessel… Apart from tanker vessels, you cannot see anything.”
On claims that the Warri port was functioning maximally, he said, “all those are just propaganda. People called me from Abuja and Port Harcourt saying Warri port is booming. But there is nothing here.
“Warri and Koko have the best natural ports in this country. This is the safest port. We are ready to work. Most agents here have 40 to 50 years of experience.”
Also speaking, leader of NPA’s Daily Berthing Meeting Committee in Warri, Mr Chidi Njoku, said activity at the Koko Port was no different from that of Warri Port.
“It may surprise you to know that some months ago they said they dredged that place (Escravos bar), and within months the same issue started again. Billions of naira gone… The only vessels we get are tankers carrying PMS. The real vessels that will affect the masses are not there.
The operators insisted that Delta’s ports have inherent advantages and called on NPA leadership under Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho to implement meaningful revival strategies.
