Business
PTOL Debunks NPA’s Claim On Port Dredging
The claim made by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) that it has dredged the Port Harcourt Wharf quay apron has been debunked by a terminal operator and concessionaire in Port Harcourt Port, the Ports and Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL).
The Terminal Operators has said that the claim by the NPA to the said dredging of the port can not be substantiated with facts.
Speaking to The Tide while reacting to the dredging claim, the Public Relations Officer of PTOL, Mr. Joe Ogudu said what is being communicated to the public as dredging, by the NPA can not be said to be dredging of the quay apron, as far as port operators and maritime business is concerned.
According to him, “What the NPA has done is just to sweep/clear the channels and that can not be said to be dredging”. He noted that the draught they met in 2006 when PTOL resumed operations at the port is still the same draught of 6.5 meters and wondered why the NPA has said that they have dredged the channels to berth three of the port to 9.3 meter.
The PRO therefore urged the authorities of the NPA, particularly in Port Harcourt to whom they pay rent to and other dues, to provide the necessary infrastructure that are required to boost business at the port, as landlord.
The NPA had in a paper it presented at the sensitisation seminar organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), through its representative, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke said that the Authority had carried out dredging activities along the channels, including the KP 72 to berth three which is 9.3 meters.