Plans to promote container transportation by barge from the Onne port and other Eastern ports to the hinterlands have been made public by the federal government.
This was recently revealed by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Marine, and Blue Economy, during an evaluation visit to the Onne port in Rivers State, which is currently run by the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT).
This announcement was made available to newsmen today, 23rd September, 2023. by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Press & PR, Ministry of Transportation/ Marine and Blue Economy.
Dr. Ajani spoke during the visit and emphasized the necessity of cooperation between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Boat and Barge Operators Association.
The Permanent Secretary, who commended the immense efforts of WACT to provide within the port a beautiful work environment that meets international best practice, said “they are doing a great job”.
According to her, these efforts is however, being hampered with a basic challenge of goods evacuation from the port as a result of some bad segments of the access road leading from Eleme Junction to Onne Port. She however, assured that government will profer solutions to the situation in no distance time.
On his part, the Managing Director of WACT, Naved Zafar, said: ” We believe in Nigeria. And this believe has helped us set high ambition. It is equally the same believe that has made us to further expand and modernized the terminal”.
“The West Africa Container Terminal is equally committed to supporting the Federal Government’s drive to promote non oil export out of the country”, the MD added.
