Onitsha Port Operation Launch Postponed, Barges Not Available


The long-awaited commencement of haulage operation at the Onitsha River port has been postponed indefinitely following non-arrival of barges from Onne in Rivers state.

Orient Daily gathered that stakeholders, including importers and top political leaders, who gathered at the Onitsha River Port Complex on Monday evening for the official launch of the haulage operation left disappointed.


The managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Chief George Muoghalu, who announced the rescheduling of the event, assured that it would take off as soon as barge hiccups at Onne port were sorted out.

Speaking through the Onitsha area manager, Mrs Queen O. Uba, the NIWA boss added that once the barge expected from Onne arrived, other ones from Lagos and other ports would follow suit. He further disclosed that the process for the concession of the Onitsha River port may be completed in the first quarter of 2021 and that, once completed, the preferred bidder would take over operations at the port.



Earlier in his speech, the river port manager, Mr Baba Adams Spencer, disclosed that, since inception of Clarion Shipping operation in the port, all containers were transported by road but the arrival of Connect Rail Services Limited, with a better and improved option via the use of barge, there was high hope that it would transform the country’s modal transport system.

“It is a welcome development as it tends to promote transportation on our waterways. Much more than this, the operational activities at the port will be increased and will equally serve as revenue booster to the authority. On this basis, the presence of Clarion Shipping and Connect Rail Services at the port if synergised will promote commercial activities and attract more investors,” he explained.

Some of the participants and stakeholders, when contacted on the latest challenge facing the commencement of operations of the Onitsha River Port, declined comments. “I can only react when barge haulage operation commences as it has been postponed to enable them sort out the barge haulage hiccups at Onne that stalled the Onitsha River port barge operation,” said a top importer who refused to be named.

Meanwhile, the state chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, expressed satisfaction with the effort of the NIWA MD, George Muoghalu in ensuring a functional Onitsha River Port. He urged him to remain focused and ensure that everything needed for the smooth take-off and sustainable operations of the port were in place.

According to him, making the river ports, especially that of Onitsha, functional was key for unlocking the economic potential of the country and boosting commercial activities in the south east region. “(With) the concession, which process is going on now, when completed, Onitsha port will generate revenue for the government and create employment to the unemployed youths. The Lagos, Onne, among other ports, will be decongested and goods transported to Onitsha at a cheaper rate”, he stated further.

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