The unending congestion of Apapa seaports, despite the massive rehabilitation of roads experienced in the area recently has continued to worry well meaning Nigerians who believe that the most pragmatic solution to the problem has been provided by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
Speaking at the 2023 Conference and Awards ceremony organized by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) at Apapa Lagos, a renowned maritime stakeholder and Chairman Olinco Transworld Groups Limited Apapa, Lagos, His Royal Majesty Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh said solution to the issues bordering on congestion of Lagos ports lies on that step taken by the Muhammadu Buhari administration on the prodding of Gov. Uzodimma that brought the former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to flag off the dredging of the Oguta-Orashi River on 11 May, 2023.
Eze Ohanweh who is the Obi Gburugburu and the paramount ruler of Isiama kingdom of Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo State was represented by Emeka Iwueze, a Lagos based lawyer who sought the cooperation of journalists especially AMJON to take the lead in the advocacy and realization of this laudable Orashi- Oguta Seaport dream.
He emphasised that about 18 nautical miles distance of Urashi to the Atlantic Ocean cannot be compared to Lagos Port of 50 nautical miles and Port Harcourt 60 that were all dredged to make for navigation.
Eze Ohanweh decried the suffering of very many Nigerians which he said could be reduced when a sea or river port becomes operational in the southeast.
He said, “Going by the present economic realities of the country today and knowing very well that greater number of importers in Nigeria today are Igbos of the Southeast who constitute greater number of the freight forwarders, import 60 per cent of all the containers leaving Apapa/Tin-can seaports to the eastern part of Nigeria.
“These importers eventually move their goods(containers) to southeast from Lagos. There is need to facilitate the dredging/ construction of the Urashi Seaport in Imo State commissioned in May 2022 by the former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
“I want to thank His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma who saw the importance of dredging this seaport to alleviate the sufferings of importers and by extension generality of Nigerians.
“Urashi Seaport will seamlessly link the Oseskwa Seaport in Ihiala, Anambra State which will no doubt benefit States like Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers Edo and Kogi.
“The sea port if revived would not only decongest Lagos, it would provide jobs, increase revenue base of the federal government, have multiplier effect on the agro and socioeconomic development of the old Eastern Region.
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The royal father sounded it clear that any one or agency directly or indirectly sabotaging the realization of the port is enemy of the people. Reminded that importers despite the numerous losses they bore, they would eventually transfer all the costs to the already impoverished Nigerians.
“Despite congestion at Lagos ports of Apapa and Tin-Can, movement of goods from Lagos to the Southeastern markets of Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba and Owerri comes with much cost as a result of extortions by some dishonest law enforcement officers and other agencies, coupled with delays and other challenges faced in the course of moving goods down to the importers’ warehouses in the east. All these add heavy costs to the goods which are finally transferred to common Nigerians (the final consumer) who consume them in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries,” he said.
On arms proliferation, he said with modern technology as scanning machines, such could be detected thereby reduce cases of multiple checkpoints on the road which also cause haulage trucks to charge more for being delayed. Therefore called for urgent review on checkpoint proliferation.
Ohanweh who is the group chairman of Olinco Transworld Nigeria Limited, was a recipient of the 2023 AMJON Excellent Leadership Award for his achievements in the maritime sector and frontline role in the actualization of the Urashi- Oguta Seaport