Facilities at the Onne Port in Rivers State, will soon be improved, including its dredging to appropriate depth, with highway and rail links.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar dropped the hint during a public forum on transport organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Transport at the Atlantic Hall of Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Senator Umar said the development would bring efficient and effective port operations as well as attract increased through put.

According to him, as existing Port facilities at Onne are upgraded and expanded in response to the expected increase in economic activities within the area, Onne will become one of the major Eastern ports in shipping and other transportation activities will therefore be attracted to the Eastern corridor, of which Port Harcourt and Onne Ports in Rivers State are central”.

He disclosed that at the extra ordinary National Council on Transport meeting of 2010 in Kano, the National Transportation masterplan was unveiled and distributed to stakeholders which among other things provides for the future development of the South-Eastern Agglomeration Area, which is Port Harcourt and Onne Port to compliment and ease the congested Western Corridor.

He further disclosed that contract for the dredging of Oguta Lake, Orashi River had also been awarded to provide access to Onne Port in Rivers State and Brass in Bayelsa as well as the Atlantic Ocean.

Senator Umar said the government was also working on modalities to link the Port Harcourt Port to the Harcourt – Maiduguri rail line.

The minister, who was represented by the Director of Policy in the Ministry, Dr. Lorwuese Viashima noted that an appropriate legal and regulatory framework was being put in place through the review of existing legislations on railways, sea ports and inland waterways, and called on the states, local governments, the organised private sector and all stakeholders to collaborate and support the federal Government’s strategy.

Earlier in his address, the State Commissioner of transport, Hon George Tolofari expressed sad that the government had not recorded much success in the marine sector.

Hon. Tolofari said boats acquired by the government are still lying waste in the Naval Shipyard while other Marine facilities remained grossly under-utilised, and called on prospective investors to take advantage of the opportunities in the industry as government is willing to partner with such Investors.

The forum was attended by distinguished personalities from all walks of life as well as stakeholders.

Collins Barasimeye