10th November, 2016
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has urged the Federal Government to dredge the Warri Port for a better draft to allow bigger vessels to berth.
The governor made the plea in Asaba, Delta, while receiving the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiiza Usman, in his office.
“Bigger vessels have not been coming to the port (Warri Port) because of the shallow draft.
“We pray that the dredging would be done during your tenure. Warri Port is very key when we talk about the size of the market.
“When that port becomes more functional, most traders in the East will use the port, and it will lessen the cost of transportation and goods will be cheaper.
“ When that port is functional, in less than one and half hours, you can move from Warri to Onitsha,’’ the governor said.
He described port development as a way of creating more jobs, especially now that youths were looking for what to do to avoid militancy.
Okowa said the state government was looking for all ways to partner with NPA, adding, “beyond Warri Port, we have the Koko Port in Warri North Local Government Area”.
Earlier, Usman said that the NPA management came on inspection of facilities in the Easters ports in order to come up with developmental proposals.
She said that there was need to carry the state government along in the proposed development of Warri Port.
“ We came to ask for your guidance and support as we proceed on port development.
“We want to strengthen relationship with the state government,’’ the managing director said.
Usman, however, sought the cooperation of the state government in critical areas of port development.