Council Bosses Laud FG Over Onitsha River Port

The chairmen of Onitsha North and Onitsha South local government councils, Prince Edwin Okosi and Ugochukwu Ezeani, respectively have lauded the government for the Onitsha port project.

Speaking in separate interviews with our corespondent in Onitsha, the chairmen noted that activities at the port would “definitely boost economic and commercial activities within Onitsha and the South-East zone’’.

The Tide reports that the Onitsha River Port rehabilitated by the Federal Government at the cost of N4.6 billion was last Thursday inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Ugochukwu Ezeani said that his council was glad that the port would add to the economic wellbeing of the people since a lot of job opportunities would be created in the wharf.

“We are glad about it; it is one of those things we have been saying concerning our most amiable and most able Governor of  Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi.

“When good people are in power, you see good things happening; you see good things coming for the people.

“I think our governor has put his signature in the sands of time; he has created history in Nigeria as a whole, I must tell you the truth.

“That is one thing, opening of wharf in Onitsha, in Anambra State, is one thing most governors could not do.

“Most governors that have governed Anambra State couldn’t do it, but he was able to achieve it.

“Likewise so many other things, we are very grateful on behalf of Onitsha South.”

Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Prince Edwin Okosi, said that the wharf would increase the revenue base of the two local councils in Onitsha.

“Our people who live close to the water would now have easy and accessible transportation at their door-steps; while those that engage in fishing would have access to the urban market through the wharf to sell their catch for greater profit.

“And many other benefits this wharf and the River Niger ferry service would bring to our people.

“We are grateful that the Federal Government kept to its words and had brought this project to reality.’’

Mr Chubo Enwezor, the lawmaker representing Onitsha-North 1 in the state assembly, said the port was one project that would have a lot of multiplier effects on the people’s living standard.

Enwezor said if the transport aspect of the port was harnessed, it would reduce the cost of shipment of goods to Onitsha markets.

“It would help our people to have access to the markets in Onitsha without traffic delays they had been experiencing on the roads.’’

The lawmaker urged the federal and state governments to involve the private sector in the running of the wharf to ensure its sustainability.