Tag: Delta State

Stakeholders in Delta State’s maritime and business community have urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to move beyond what they described as propaganda and take concrete steps to revive the long-neglected Warri and Koko ports, warning that prolonged inaction is denying both the state and the nation significant economic benefits.

The call was amplified at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA) in Warri, where port operators dismissed recent NPA claims about decentralising port operations and shifting activities from the congested Lagos ports to Delta State.

Operators painted a grim picture of ports that have remained largely inactive for nearly two decades, with general cargo vessels abandoning the Warri and Koko ports. 

A recent visit to the Delta Ports administrative headquarters in Warri revealed empty stacking areas, dilapidated warehouses with leaking roofs, abandoned Nigeria Customs Service offices and port agents with little or no work.

“We just come and sit every day; nothing is happening. For the past three weeks I have been in Warri and we have not seen a single vessel. Apart from tanker vessels, you cannot see anything,” a port agent, Maxwell Etoroma, lamented.

Stakeholders’ frustration intensified following online reports suggesting that Warri Port had suddenly become busy after the NPA’s announcement.

“All those are just propaganda. People called me from Abuja and Port Harcourt saying Warri port is booming, but there is nothing here,” Etoroma said.

The leader of the NPA Daily Berthing Meeting Committee in Warri, Sir Chidi Njoku, accused authorities of repeatedly announcing dredging and revitalisation projects without tangible results.

“It may surprise you to know that some months ago they said they dredged that place at the Escravos bar, and within months the same problem started again. Billions of naira gone. The only vessels we get are tankers carrying PMS. The real vessels that will affect the masses are not there,” Njoku said.

He added that operations at Koko Port were even more limited, noting that the only vessel that calls there is a small export ship carrying between 400 and 500 metric tonnes, arriving once every one or two months.

“Claims that Koko Port is busy are misleading,” Njoku added.

Despite the bleak situation, stakeholders maintained that the Delta ports are naturally positioned for heavy commercial activity and appealed to the NPA under its Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, to implement its revitalisation plans.

“Warri and Koko have the best natural ports in this country. This is the safest port. We are ready to work. Most agents here have 40 to 50 years of experience,” Etoroma said.

The Delta State Government also described the revival of the ports as a national economic imperative rather than a parochial demand, noting that functional ports would boost federal revenue and benefit Nigerians.

Speaking exclusively on the NPA’s proposed focus on Delta ports, the Commissioner for Rural Roads and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, stressed that development must commence in earnest, citing the state’s significant contributions to the national treasury.

“Delta state government, when it is brought back to life, it will to a very large extent boost the economy of the state and that of the country. Not only because we desire it, but it is the right thing to do.

“Our contributions in terms of the resources of the federation today is number one. They say to whom much is given, much is expected. We do believe we are contributing so much to the federal purse and that if the federal government is also able to come back to revive the Warri Port which is a port that before now was very active, it is something that is good for the federation, so it is not only in our self interest,” Aniagwu.

“We are urging and pleading with the federal government to expedite action, they have indicated that they are going to make it work and we appreciate them for that,” he said, adding that political alignment had made engagement easier.

On reported opposition to the proposed decentralisation, Aniagwu declared, “If there is any other person kicking against it, then the person doesn’t wish Nigeria well. Because the Warri Port is not only to serve the people in Warri or Delta, it is to serve Nigerians, just like Lagos ports is serving Nigerians… It will increase business, it will boost our economy, it will make the Federal Government to even have more money.”

He highlighted improved road links under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that clearing goods in Warri would ease access to the Southeast, cut transport costs and reduce demurrage.

At the AGM, WACCIMA described the state of the ports as unacceptable as the President, Anthony Okoh, said the neglect of Delta ports had been a concern for over a decade and urged authorities to accelerate rehabilitation to unlock the Niger Delta’s economic potential.

Chairman of WACCIMA’s Board of Trustees, Chief Moses Orogun, said reopening the ports remained the fastest way to revive Warri’s economy, stressing that business leaders must push policymakers because “the government alone cannot do it.”

At the National Assembly, Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, representing Warri Federal Constituency, has moved a motion urging full support for the decentralisation of port operations.

“Decentralization of Nigerian port operations is a national economic imperative, not a regional contest,” Ereyitomi said, adding that the policy would “reposition Nigeria as a competitive maritime hub in West Africa.”

He urged the federal government to back the move with investment in rail, inland waterways and roads, and called on the NPA to expedite the relocation of designated operations to Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu ports.

Seemingly frustrated operators, while highlighting the benefits – jobs, lower logistics costs, decongestion of Lagos ports, increased government revenue and a stronger national supply chain, however, maintained that until ships return in meaningful numbers, Delta’s ports will remain symbols of promise unfulfilled — and a test of whether the NPA’s words will finally be matched with action.

A fuel-laden tanker burst into flames after falling along the dilapidated Eku-Abraka Road in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Although details remain sketchy, reports indicated that the fire was triggered by residents scooping fuel from the fallen tanker near the Eku Market.

No casualties have been confirmed as of press time, but the inferno reportedly destroyed several houses and shops in the vicinity.

Details shortly…