The Federal Government has distanced itself from the planned dredging of the Orashi River with the intention of building the first seaport in the South East as announced recently by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma. Minister of Transportation, Mauzu Sambo who disclosed this at a press briefing at the end of the World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos said he was not aware of such project. According to the minister, “I was in the US when the Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed sent me a text to confirm this Orashi River dredging and I forwarded the text to the Permanent Secretary who said there is nothing like that in the ministry.
“I know the Orashi River is an inland waterway and it falls under the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) purview. So, if there is any planned dredging, NIWA must be aware of such. I have not been able to reach the NIWA MD, so I cannot talk further on this. As soon as I get the NIWA MD, I will make more details available to the media. Also, I have not been able to reach the Governor who is my friend to know whether it is the State government that intend to do the dredging.”
The Governor last week said that the Federal Government has approved the dredging of Orashi River to the Atlantic Sea to serve as the first seaport in the South East region. Governor Uzodinma, disclosed that the approval followed the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state to commission projects executed by his administration. According to Uzodinma, the dredging of the river port will enable traders from the zone to import and receive their goods directly while enjoying a comparative advantage as well as promote and encourage the business spirit of the people of South East.
