NIWA Concludes Signing of N 1.6billion Deal for Crane Acquisition for Lokoja River Port

ZION Olalekan, Babalola Seun

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has signed a deal worth 1,600,344,513.92 for the supply and installation of 64 Ton Mobile Harbour Crane by Messrs LIEBHERR Nigeria Limited for the Lokoja – Jamata River Port Complex.

Public Relations Officer of NIWA, Mr. Tayo Fadile disclosed this yesterday in a statement after the official signing ceremony.

Recall that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi in May 2018 said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has granted approval for the procurement of the equipment worth N1.6 billion for the yet to be constructed Lokoja/Jamata River Port in Kogi State.

The Minister at the time said the approval was consequent upon the submission of two memos to the council by his ministry.

Fadile, in a statement in Lokoja, Kogi State, the administrative headquarters disclosed the project is one of the four river ports under construction.

“The Baro River Port was commissioned recently by Mr. President; the Onitsha River Port has also been commissioned, while the Oguta River Port is nearing completion.

“The essence of building these ports is to enhance inland waterways transportation across the country and boost employment opportunities for our teeming youths,” he added.

According to the statement, the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, at the contract signing ceremony on Wednesday in Lokoja, said that the project was in line with government determination to enhance water transportation.

He said that the contract was awarded early enough to ensure the commencement of operation at the port by next year.

According to him, the port, which will be fitted with state of the art equipment, has reached 75 per cent completion.

The port is located at Jamata area of Lokoja.

Mamora said that the contract would be executed within one year.

When completed, he said that the port and others already completed and nearing completion in Baro, Onitsha and Oguta would enhance inland water transportation and create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians.

He said that the choice of the contractors was informed by their track record.

Speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of LIEBHERR Nigeria Ltd., Mr Hermann Wohuhes, thanked NIWA for the confidence reposed in his firm.

He promised to deliver the job strictly in line with the terms of the contract.