Jonathan commissions N4.6bn Onitsha River Port

By Agency Reporter

Jonathan commissions N4.6bn Onitsha River Port

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday officially commissioned the Onitsha River Port Complex, Anambra State, which cost N4.6 billion. He assured his administration would deliver on all campaign promises and would affect all critical sectors of the economy.

The president, who was received with thunderous ovation said the target of his administration was to link roads, airports, seaports and rail together to easily move cargo and boost the nation's economy. "I concur with Senator Zainab Kure that the legislature and executive must work together to deliver the dividend of democracy. We must exploit other opportunities in transport and it can only be done when we have terminal ports. "Our target is to link up the ports, roads, airports and rails to boost our cargo movement and economy. Transporting cargo on water is cheaper and reduces wearing and tearing of our roads.

Our commitment is to transform all sectors of the economy, all we ask is patience. We will deliver on our campaign promises." President Jonathan, who said he was at home each time he was in the South-East described them as friends, saying, "South-East is the only part of the country I can move freely. People here are my best friends." In his opening remark, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said the project cost N4, 666,481, 590.90 and was being handled by an indigenous company, Messrs InterBau Construction Ltd. and was aimed at stimulating economic activities and job creation.

He said the project involved comprehensive rehabilitation of transist shed/warehouse of 110×55 metres with a storage capacity of 10,000 twenty Feet Equivalent Units (TEUs). The project also involved the construction of new port operations building, nine senior staff quarters, 11 junior staff quarters, fuel tank farm, road works, erosion control works with Gabions and Reno mattresses, new slipway, 150mm diameter borehole with elevated water tank and treatment unit as well as reticulation and other plumbing works.

The project also involved the rehabilitation/renovation of quay wall and apron with a length of 150m. The wharf has a width of 50m with adjoining hardstand width of 100m, five existing staff quarters, port security and police buildings, fire brigade buildings, drainage works and gangways.