Calabar Port, Strategic To Nigeria’s Economy – Minister

Minsiter of Transport,
Senator Idris Umar has said that the dredging of Calabar Port is strategic to the sustainable development of the Nigeria’s economy.
Senator Umar said the project was part of the deliberate efforts of the Federal Government to boost economic activities in the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones of the country.
The Minsiter made the remark when he received a delegation of traditional rulers from the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones of the country led by His Royal Majesty Dr Edmund Dakoru, Chairman of the South-South Monarchs Forum who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja.
He said President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to approve the dredging of the Calabar channel was a great feat and also in recognition of the support and cooperation given to his administration by the zones.
Senator Umar noted that the country has suffered enough neglect of its coastal waterways, which was supposed to be a veritable means of economic transformation.
With the dredging, he said “economic activities will spring up again, creating massive employment opportunities in the area and in the whole country.”
The Minister disclosed that a maintenance company has also been established to manage the Calabar channel and urged the private sector to fully tap into the inherent economic advantages.
He lauded the President’s efforts in ensuring that life was brought back to the hitherto comatose projects such as railway system and inland waterways and assured Nigerians that Port Harcourt – Maiduguri rehabilitation projects would also be completed soon.