THE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has begun the test-running of containers movement between Onne Port in Rivers State, the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State and beyond.
NIWA’s Managing Director, Dr. George Moghalu, explained that the aim includes exploring the potentials of inland water transportation, among other reasons.
A statement on Thursday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, by NIWA’s Acting General Manager (Corporate Affairs), Jibril Darda’u, quoted Moghalu as saying it is meant to ensure that the Onitsha port is fully functional after 42 years of its construction.
He said: “The aim of the test-run is to break the jinx and encourage partnership with the Barge Operators Association, that it is possible to move containers successfully from Onne to Onitsha by water and Onitsha to Onne as well.
“This is the first phase of the test-run, and the second phase will be from the Lagos ports to Onitsha River port and from Onitsha to Lagos.
“NIWA is giving exemplary leadership to investors that moving goods on the waterways is economically viable and safe so that investors can key in and benefit from the potentials of water transportation.
“It is also part of my commitment, since assumption of duty, to ensure that the Onitsha port is fully functional after 42 years of construction and commissioning in 2012 but not put to use.
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