NIWA Mulls Conversion of Onitsha River Port Floodable Plane for Cattle Ranching, others

ABIOLA Seun |

Determined to boost the Federal Government revenue, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Onitsha Area Office yesterday disclosed its resolve towards developing and industrialising NIWA floodable plains and right of way for agriculture and Cattle ranching.

The Onitsha Area Office Manager, Mrs. Uchi Amadi disclosed this at Onitsha during the NIWA Managing Director, Senator Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora’s tour of Onitsha and Warri Area Offices.

The Area manager stated that she was also fine tuning how Government could earn millions, from the utilization of islands along the waterways for both recreation and agriculture.

Amadi however complained that the area office is constrained by inadequate staffing, non-functional vehicles and challenges from sister agencies, particularly the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, over jurisdictional issues, in addition to the challenges of how to recover some NIWA properties, illegally occupied or annexed.

Expatiating on her observation, the Port Manager, Onitsha River Port complex, Mr. Baba Spencer, explained to the Managing Director that since the inception of the River Port, their mode of operations had been strictly related to port activities, especially in the use of port facilities given as slipway, the use of the port water front and occasional berthing of crafts.

He identified security as the Port’s major challenge, noting that the collapsed of the port perimeter fence by the Port slipway; and the leased to M & E dredging services as dumpsites have unduly exacerbated the security issue into highly risk, security prone zone.

He also pleaded for the reinforcement of the perimeter fence, maintenance of the port equipment, rehabilitation of the dilapidated fire services station and allocation of operational vehicle which the port does not have at the moment.

Also speaking, the Warri Area Office Manager, Engr. Tammuno Fiberesima stated that the Dockyard services, especially the slipway was presently not operational, as it was already undergoing rehabilitation.

But Engr. Fiberesima stressed the lack of functional vehicles, the lack of functional boats needed, both for revenue drive and general patrol; as well as the lack of adequate staff and training.

But Mamora encouraged them in his reaction to their requests, stressing that as a team leader, he expects them to also support him in finding solutions, in addition to putting in their best towards the growth and development of the Authority, stressing the phrase: to whom much is given, much is expected.

Nonetheless, the Managing Director assured he would look into their requests based on merit and availability of funds so as to meet up their official obligations, urging all the staff to rededicate themselves as NIWA would continue to support them.

The Warri Area Office later presented the Managing Director with welcoming gifts to both Mamora and the Management Staff that came with him.