Online commentators tackle Bala-Usman on why eastern ports are under-utilised

 

BY OUR EDITOR

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said that the key reasons why vessels avoid using ports at the eastern flank of the nation’s seaports were due to the level of insecurity on the waterways, the shallow draft of the channels which hinders the movement of big vessels, as well as problems of poor access roads and rail linkages to the ports in these areas.

These appear to have become perennial challenges without tangible solutions as they are so easily reeled out each time the issue of decongesting the Lagos ports and under utilisation of ports on the eastern corridor come up for discussion.

But the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, who stated the problems also raised a glimmer of hope when she assured members of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on ports decongestion who are conducting public hearings and visiting the various ports for on the spot assessment, that government was working to resolve the issues.

Bala-Usman told her visitors that following the approval of the contract by the Federal Executive Council last year, dredging works had been completed on deepening the Warri channel draught to 7.5 meters while consultants had been engaged to advise on level of investments needed to improve the infrastructure capacity of the Port Harcourt port.

She informed the committee that the Onne Port was currently function at full capacity, while letting the legislators know that the management of the NPA was working with all relevant stakeholders towards tackling the challenges that hamper patronage of the eastern ports.

Bala-Usman also disclosed that NPA has granted all requisite approvals for the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port for which development has started.

She said further that the Authority was awaiting a response from the promoters of the Badagry Deep Sea Port to enable conclusion on the final outline business case for the project. She also pointed out that the maritime industry was becoming more increasingly disposed to patronising Deep Sea Ports which allows for big vessels and aid economies of scales.

She clarified that Nigeria would only assure its future market share in the industry with the development of deep sea ports.

In the area of security, Bala-Usman explained that the NPA planned to purchase patrol boats and would be working with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Port Police Command to combat crimes on the nation’s waterways and assured that progress was being made on this front.

On the issue of port access roads, she explained that the NPA had drawn a basket of such roads across the country and written the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing about the need to prioritise the rehabilitation of these roads.

She noted that the ministry had commenced implementation of this process with the recent award of the construction of Ikom Bridge, which is a key road connecting Cross River State to the north-eastern part of the country and expressed optimism that these steps would provide better linkages to the hinterland and attract more business to the eastern ports.

However, some online commentators have reacted to the reasons why ports in the eastern corridor are not put to maximal use.

One contributor who goes by the moniker ‘JideChukwu’ wrote: “…Isn’t it a shame that the federal government gets more than 85% of crude from this axis but cannot ensure security over the waterways, build access roads and rail infrastructure…

“There is absolutely no justification for why the Eastern ports haven’t been developed, yet we are hearing of them wanting to build two more ports in Lagos…One in Lekki and one in Badagry…”

Towing the same line of thought, another contributor, ‘fx guru’ wondered: “Eastern ports are avoided because of insecurity but 2 million barrels of crude oil safely leave the east daily.”

Earlier in his remarks, chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Buba Yakub, explained that the Committee was on a fact-finding mission on reasons why the Eastern Ports were not working as optimally as the Western Ports and how much that affects national development.

Yakub noted that this assignment will take his Committee round all the ports and at the end of the day, generate a blueprint that would improve patronage at the eastern ports and prevent agitations from host communities. (with VANGUARD report)