A plan for the concession of the Onitsha River Port for 30 years has been announced by the Federal Government even as it added that the project will generate N50 billion and create jobs.
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) made this public after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the decision.
The ICRC also added that the concession was approved under a Rehabilitate-Operate and Transfer (ROT) arrangement.
The statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Head, Media and Publicity, Manji Yarling said the port will serve as an alternative source of transporting goods to the South East from Lagos, Port Harcourt and other areas with adequate water connectivity, citing that it is one of Nigeria’s four river ports including Lokoja, Kogi State; Baro in Niger State and Oguta in Imo State.
She said, “The Onitsha River Port was officially opened over three decades ago but has been neglected and not being optimally utilized.
“This concession is part of the bigger Federal Government’s plan to concession the remaining river ports and enhances inland waterways transportation in the country.
“The 30-year concession is expected to generate over N50 billion to the Federal Government and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
“(It will) facilitate more efficient trade within the country through cheaper, easier and cleaner method of transporting goods and services.
“It is equipped to deal with general cargo such as containers, bulk cargo and other packaged freight.”
Recall that last year that the Federal Government issued operating licenses to about eight barge operators to move containers from Lagos Ports to Onitsha River Port and other inland ports through the country’s inland waterways, adding it would likely generate as much as N30 billion annually from that operation if well managed.
