The Public Affairs Of-ficer of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Eastern Ports, Mr Nwachukwu Okoroafor, has said that the only challenge facing the zone had been the dredging of the Calabar River to allow bigger vessels to berth at the port.

Mr Okoroafor, who made this remark during an interview in Port Harcourt said with the dredging of the channel, activities at the Calabar port would experience boom thereby generating more revenue to the government and facilitate easy cargo clearance, as was ameliorate the port congestion being experienced in Lagos ports.

According to him, when completed, the Calabar Port would start berthing ocean-going (bigger) vessels, describing the idea as a welcome development that would make the port become a shipping hub in the East.

He said the dredging of the Calabar Channel to allow bigger vessels into the port would stimulate economic growth in transport sector and also increase shipping activities in the zone, and Nigeria at large.

He said investors and indeed importers would cash in with the opportunity to expand their shipping business, as it would reduce cost of transportation of  goods from the busy Lagos ports. The NPA Eastern Ports Public Affairs Officer further stated that the project when completed would be beneficial to all Nigerians as it would create employment opportunities and improved ports activities in the country, and noted with satisfaction steps so far taken toward realising the dream.