The management of National Inland Water (NIWA), Onitsha River Port Complex, Anambra state, is fine-tuning plans of concessionning Onitsha River port operation to enable it commence operation by first quarter 2021.
The Area zonal officer of NIWA, Onitsha River port, Mrs Queen Uba disclosed this, during an interactive session with newsmen at NIWA office Onitsha, Anambra state.
Mrs Queen assured that the port would commence full operation by the first quarter of 2020, when all arrangements for the concession must have been concluded, adding that NIWA has put in place all things needed for the full operation of the port.
She noted that the management has equally entered into agreement with Connect Rail Services Limited to kick start the lifting of goods from the port to other places in the county.
According to her, the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr George Moughalu has been making frantic efforts toward full operation of port in the South-east since he assumed office.
Also speaking, the Onistha port manager, Mr. Baba Spencer, said while the concession was ongoing, the contractor, Connect Rail Services limited will start using port stacking yard as a bonded terminal to testing the functionalities of the port operation on temporary basis, until the concession is fully concluded.
According to him, when the port commences full operation, it would reduce the cost of moving goods and humans from Onitsha to other parts of the country, adding that full operation will promote and increase commercial activities and attract more investors to the state.
