Igboland has many access to the Sea, Rivers, Water Ways to Atlantic Ocean but some dumb and ignorant Nigerians cannot learn the geography and history that is evident and factual on ground in Igboland and Nigeria. They love to be ignorant despite facts in their land. What a people with Nigerians and Africans mentality of denial of facts as long as it massages their ego and wishful thinking.
Let us use facts and verifiable evidence to educate the false and dummy analysis of those uninformed Nigerians and other Igbos that don't know Igbo history or geography. Using these dummy criteria in their false analysis that Igboland is landlocked, then it means that Portharcourt and Portharcourt Seaport is then landlocked, Ikwerre and Ikwerre land is then Landlocked, Ogoni is landlocked, Onne Port in Ogoni land is then landlocked, Calabar is then landlocked, Akwa Ibom is then Landlocked if we have to follow the propaganda and false unverified claims by these dummies that Igboland is Landlocked.
Lets use a simple arithmetic to teach the ignorants in these forums that Igboland is not land locked. Fact one, IkwerreLand/Porharcourt and Porthhacourt seaport was dredged 40 to 50 Miles to sea from the Bonny River to Atlantic Ocean. Onne SeaPort in Ogoni land was dredged 50 to 60 Miles to Sea from Bonny River for Larger ships to Atlantic Ocean. Calabar Seaport is dredged 45 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean. Akwa Ibom Ibaka deep seaport is about 30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean without dredging and the best seaport location in depth and width in Eastern Nigeria. Then open your dummy eyes and ears again.
PROPOSED 2 (TWO) SEA PORTS IN OBEAKU- NDOKI AND AZUMIRI SEAPORTS IN ABIA STATE.
Obuaku Ndoki Port in Abia State is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean from the confluence of Imo River and Azumiri (blue River) in Abia State, which is a large and deep body water of high flowing and rich rivers. Azumiri Blue River in Abia State is also 25-30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean for a big Seaport and big ships. Can the dummies reason for a second now?. Can the dummies see facts and reasons. Many Igbo towns and villages in Imo State, Abia State, Anambra State and Anioma are within 30 minutes to one hour drive to the Sea Atlantic Ocean. That is not land lock you dummies.
Please go learn and read about Igbo history and geography again, then you will forget the anti Biafra General Gowon propaganda policy of dividing Igboland, and false madness by some uninformed Nigerians and some myopic Nigerian leadership with false geography of Igboland, that has fooled and blinded all you their followers to dumbness for all these years. Look at the whole facts and see that Igboland is not and never have been landlocked. So you think Abia State and Anambra State will be proposing to building their own Seaport they are planning in future in the Moon?
Also from the border of Abia State and Imo State to the port of Portharcourt, Bayelsa, Igwenga/Opobo(2),Ahoada, Ogba is between 30 mintes to one hour drive, and if one takes Azumiri River or Imo River from the border of Abia and Imo State to the Ocean and sea port in Portharcourt is less than one hour drive and if you go by Azumiri River or Imo river by boat, vessels or barges it will take about 2(two) hours to the ocean and to sea ports in portharcourt and Bayelsa with goods and services for exports and imports. You can hardly call that a landlocked country. Compare that to Northern Nigeria, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguiri, Chad, Niger, Central African Republic which is about 2000 (two Thousand) mile to 3000 (Three Thousand ) Miles to the nearest sea or Ocean and which takes any way from two weeks to one month for heavy goods and services to get to the nearest seaport or ocean for export or importation at a very high cost.
PROPOSED SEA PORT IN OBEAKU- NDOKIAND AZUMIRI SEAPORTS IN ABIA STATE.
Obuaku Ndoki Port in Abia State is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean from the confluence of Imo River and Azumiri (blue River) which is a large and deep body water of high flowing and rich rivers. Azumiri Blue River is also 25-30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean for a big Seaport
7 (SEVEN) SEA PORTS AND POTENTIAL SEAPOPORT UNDERWAY IN EASTERN PARTS OF NIGERIA.
(1)PORTHARCOURT SEAPORT - IN RIVERS STATE ALONG BONNY RIVER IS 45 NAUTICAL MILES TO ATLANTIC OCEAN
(2) ONNE SEAPORT - IN RIVERS STATE ALONG BONNY RIVER IS 50 NAUTICAL MILES TO ATLANTIC OCEAN
(3) CALABAR SEAPORT- IN CROSS RIVERS STATE IS 45 NAUTICAL MILES TO ATLANTIC OCEAN
(4) IBAKA SEAPORT-IN AKWA IBOM STATE IS 30 NAUTICAL MILES TO ATLANTIC OCEAN
(5)OBEAKU-NDOKI SEAPORT- IN ABIA STATE IS 25 NAUTICAL MILES TO OCEAN (PROPOSED UNDER PLANNING)
(6) AZUMIRI IN ABIA STATE CONFLUENCE BLUE RIVER IS 30 NAUTICAL MILES TO ATLANTIC OCEAN (PROPOSED AND PLANNING UNDERWAY)
(7) ONITSHA INLAND RIVER PORT IN ANAMBRA STATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
PROPOSED SEA PORT IN OBEAKU- NDOKI AND AZUMIRI SEAPORTS IN ABIA STATE.
Obuaku Ndoki Port in Abia State is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean from the confluence of Imo River and Azumiri (blue River) which is a large and deep body water of high flowing and rich rivers. Azumiri Blue River is also 25-30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean for a big Seaport
Ever since the Abia State Government announced their intention to bring a Sea Port to the state, there have been many questions raised. I reached out to a source at the Government House, Umuahia to obtain clarity. I was told that the proposed location for the seaport is in Obuaku, Ukwa West, LGA. Right in Obuaku, there is a confluence point where the Imo River and the Blue River meet. The Obuaku confluence passes through Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State. In Rivers state for instance, (along Bonny River) we have Portharcourt Seaport and we have the Sea Port located in Onne, Eleme L.G.A. Onne,This is Nigeria’s busiest sea port and ranks as the largest sea port in west Africa. Did you know that while Rivers State (Porharcourt Sea Port) sits 40 nautical miles away from the Atlantic Ocean and Onne Port in River State along Bonny River sits 50 Nautical Miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. Obuaku Blue River and Azumiri Rivers is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean? To some, this talk about a sea port in Abia state may sound unrealistic but, it is not far fetched. Even if it does not get realized by the T. A administration, this legacy project will come to fruition in no distant time. - See more at: http://www.southeastnigeria.com/some-answers-to-the-the-proposed-sea-port-in-abia-state-joi-john/#sthash.pUVpKDB2.dpuf
Igboland is not landlocked according to United Nation treaty, International law OF THE Sea and African Union laws. Igboland has many Rivers, Canals, Waterways, Lake and bays in Imo State, Anambra state, Anioma, Asaba and Abia States which flows into the Atlantic Oceans and the Sea and many a distance of 30 minutes drive.FACTS ON GROUND
Development of a Sea-Port at Obuaku-Ndoki: many Nigerians, even including many enlightened sons and daughters of Nd’igbo, had, out of geographical ignorance, borne the impression that the South-East of Nigeria is land-locked. But being a visionary leader, the truth is now being made manifest that the Blue River/Imo River confluence at Obuaku-Ndoki is only twenty-five nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean. We are thankful that your administration is working committedly to establishing a sea-port at the confluence town of Obuaku.
AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE PEOPLE OF ABIA-SOUTH SENATORIAL ZONE ON THE OCCASION OF A GRAND CIVIC RECEPTION FOR HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR T. A. ORJI (OCHENDO GLOBAL) AT ABIA STATE POLYTECHNIC, ABA ON 1ST FEBRUARY, 2014. AS SCRIPTED BY CHIEF (SIR) DON UBANI; KSC, JP (OKWUBUNKA OF ASA)
Chief (Sir) Don Ubani; ksc, JP 11/06/2013
"further inward by thinking of laying a bigger foundation of economy for not only Abia State but the whole of the South-East geo-political zone by formally conceptualizing the establishment of a sea-port at Obeaku-Ndoki, in Ukwa-East Local Government Area.
Embarking on a road map that will ginger his successor to see to the realization of a sea-port in Abia State, would correct the erroneous impression widely held by uninformed Nigerians that the South-East zone of Nigeria is land-locked. This is very far from the truth.The Imo River, which originates from Umuaku in Isuochi of Umunneochi Local Government Area meandered its way up to Obeaku-Ndoki, from where it emptied itself into the Atlantic Ocean. It is very strategic to mention that the distance between Obeaku-Ndoki and the Atlantic Ocean, which commences not far from Igwenga in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State, is only twenty-five nautical miles.For the avoidance of doubt, any zone that enjoys a proximity of even thirty nautical miles to a maritime endowment such as the Atlantic Ocean, should not in any way categorize itself as being land-locked. For the benefit of those who do not know, Port-Harcourt wharf is about forty nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean. It was dredged and scooped during the Premiership of Dr. M.I. Okpara during the defunct Eastern Region for ships to berth therein. If Port-Harcourt wharf could be made accessible to ships despite its fourty-nautical-mile distance to the Atlantic Ocean, it justifiably stands to reason that Obeaku-Ndoki Wharf, which is only twenty-five nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean, could be more readily and profitably accessed by ships. Since Nigeria parades a galaxy of consultants in marine engineering, obtaining professional advice in this regards may not be far from reach."
Chief (Sir) Don Ubani; ksc, JP(Okwubunka of Asa) Umuiku-Isi-Asa Ukwa-West L.G.A. P.M.B 7048 Aba
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FACTS ON GROUND BY Vincent Erondu
'Without Ikwerre the hinterland Igbos have many access to the sea. Port Harcourt came to prominence as from 1913 because of the development of the sea port and the Eastern Railway line. During the oil Rivers trade and the slave trade era Port Harcourt was not a factor in those trades. The trade route was through Azumini River through Ohambele via Opobo to Bonny (Ubani). At Bonny commodities were loaded and shipped overseas. Another route in fact the ealier route was through Cross River Aro chukwu to Calabar. Aboh, Onitsha and Ugwuta were also important sea routes to Atlantic ocean. Ikwerre is not wanted by the Igbo for any specific thing or need. The issue is matter of historical distortion and revisionism.
Talking about Port Harcourt, Igweocha is a common name for Port Harcourt, this name is a descripton of how the horrizon seems to be touching the ocean from a plain sea shore view. Its ancient name was odinaobu. We also have Igwenga. These names are spelt in various ways depending on the dialect of the writer.
Vincent Erondu
PROPOSED SEA PORT IN OBEAKU- NDOKI IN ABIA STATE.
Obuaku Ndoki Port in Abia State is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean from the confluence of Imo River and Azumiri (blue River) which is a large and deep body water of high flowing and rich rivers is 30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean.
Ever since the Abia State Government announced their intention to bring a Sea Port to the state, there have been many questions raised. I reached out to a source at the Government House, Umuahia to obtain clarity. I was told that the proposed location for the seaport is in Obuaku, Ukwa West, LGA. Right in Obuaku, there is a confluence point where the Imo River and the Blue River meet. The Obuaku confluence passes through Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State. In Rivers state for instance, (along Bonny River) we have Portharcourt Seaport and we have the Sea Port located in Onne, Eleme L.G.A. Onne,This is Nigeria’s busiest sea port and ranks as the largest sea port in west Africa. Did you know that while Rivers State (Porharcourt Sea Port) sits 40 nautical miles away from the Atlantic Ocean and Onne Port in River State along Bonny River sits 50 Nautical Miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. Obuaku Blue River and Azumiri Rivers is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean? To some, this talk about a sea port in Abia state may sound unrealistic but, it is not far fetched. Even if it does not get realized by the T. A administration, this legacy project will come to fruition in no distant time. - See more at: http://www.southeastnigeria.com/some-answers-to-the-the-proposed-sea-port-in-abia-state-joi-john/#sthash.pUVpKDB2.dpuf
Seaports in Nigeria ( Port Harcourt ) Rivers State
Port Harcourt – Terminal Details
Port Harcourt is a natural port, the third largest in the country. The harbour is situated on the left bank of the River Bonny, 43 miles from the coast (Bight of Bonny) within the River Delta region.
port harcourt Sea Port
port town and capital of Rivers state, southern Nigeria. It lies along the Bonny River (an eastern distributary of the Niger River) 41 miles (66 km) upstream from the Gulf of Guinea. Founded in 1912 in an area traditionally inhabited by the Ijo people, it began to serve as a port (named for Lewis Harcourt, then colonial secretary) after the opening of the rail link to the Enugu coalfields in 1916. Now one of the nation's largest ports, its modern deepwater (23 feet [7 metres]) facilities handle the export of palm oil, palm kernels, and timber from the surrounding area, coal from Anambra state, tin and columbite from the Jos Plateau, peanuts (groundnuts) from the northern states, and, since 1958, petroleum from fields in the eastern Niger River delta. Port Harcourt has bulk storage facilities for both palm oil and petroleum. In the 1970s the port was enlarged with new facilities at nearby Onne. Learn more about Port Harcourt with a free trial on Britannica.com.
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Onne Seaport Port & Terminal Description - Rivers State
Onne is situated in Rivers State in Nigeria, along the Bonny River (50 nautical miles to Atlantic ocean). The WACT terminal is located in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone and is set up to cater for the greater Port Harcourt area and eastern Nigeria including the local lucrative oil industry. The nearest large city is Port Harcourt which has a population of 2 million inhabitants and is located 30 Kilometres from Onne.This has given Onne the advantage of handling both commercial and oil related cargoes. Her proximity to the eastern market is a big advantage for customers. The good road network makes access into the terminal easier compared to other ports and reduces risk of goods in transit from the port to the customers warehouse/market. The terminal is fully equipped with a fleet of modern container handling equipment and the cost of doing business in WACT is highly competitive and customer friendly.http://ports.co.za/onne.php Contact Details:
Tel +084-744571; +084-793147; +084-896785; +234 8058013750
Website: West Africa Container Terminal, Onne
email to wact...@apmterminals.com
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Calabar Sea Port Complex in Cross River State
The history of Calabar Port is traceable from the premedieval merchants’ ventures of the 15th century to the present day. It served as an important focus of trade with the outside world in the Eastern states and natural port for the northern states of Nigeria.The New port lies about 55nautical miles from the fairway buoy up to Calabar River. The new port complex was commissioned on 9th June, 1979 and lies 45 nautical mile (about84km) upstream from Fairway Buoy.
The Old Port was privately administered and operated by various shipping companies amongst whom were M/S Palm line Agencies Limited and Elder Dempster Agencies until December 1969 when the Federal Government took over the inadequate Calabar Port facilities from the erstwhile operators and vested it on the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The development, modernization and expansion of the Calabar Port was embarked upon under the 3rd National Development plan 1975 –1980 in order to make the Port facilities cope with the ever increasing demand of our economy. The new Port Complex was commissioned on 9th June, 1979 and consists of the following major operational areas:-
- The Port has a total land area of 38 hectares.
- The Port has a total of Four Quays each measuring about 215m long and 40m wide.
- The Four Quays have been edcimated into six operational berths.
- The Port also have 2 warehouses measuring 150m X 40m and 175m X 40m.
- The Port operational Area have been divided into two concessioned terminals.
- Terminal A consisting of two berths was concessioned to Messrs Intels Nigeria Ltd.
- Terminal B consisting of four berths was concessioned to Messrs ECM Terminal Ltd
The Port is Located along latitude 4055’N and Long 8015’. 3.E. The New port lies about 55nautical miles from the fairway buoy up to Calabar River. The Port occupies an area of approximately (38) hectares of land buoyed channel (150) metres wide and a navigable chancy 85km (45m2)
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http://www.nigerianports.org/news.aspx?id=251
| Press Releases |
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| AKWA IBOM,NPA SET 2015 TARGET FOR IBAKA
Ibaka Seaport | | Akwa Ibom, NPA set 2015 target for Ibaka Deep sea port
…Akpabio grants NPA C of O for port area
Barring any last minute changes, the proposed Ibaka Deep sea port would start receiving ocean lines not later than 2015, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State Chief Godswill Akpabio and the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Engr. Omar Suleiman have hinted.
Governor Akpabio and Engr. Suleiman who expressed the resolve on Monday in Abuja at a brief event to mark the official hand over of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the over 5580 Sq meters of land area for the citing of the new port, said all infrastructures needed to fast -track the early completion of the port will be provided. This is even as the Governor pledged to within one month award contract for the dualisation of the port main access road to link the East –West road with a view to making it more intermodal
The state Government equally handed over the master plan of the port to the Managing Director of NPA at the event. He said the state was spurred to fast-track work on the surveying and parceling out of the land where the port will be cited after the last visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state where he pledged support for citing of project in an area that has comparative advantage rather than based on ethnic sentiments.
Governor Akpabio noted that the infrastructures for a deep sea port is huge, saying the state is prepared to offer assistance to NPA at whatever point it will be needed. He added that his government is fully ready to partner with the Organisation to ensure that the necessary infrastructure for effective take-off of the port is provided. “Whatever support that may be required to ensure that a big ocean going Liner comes to the port by 2015 will be provided by the state government.
He allayed fears of security of investment in the port in view of the menace of the maritime pirates in the Nigerian territorial waters, saying that the federal government has granted the state it’s request to establish full military presence in that location. “Now we have NN Jubilee in the area, so with the presence of the Army, Navy, complementing the Marine Police, there will be adequate security of investments as the area will be a no go area for maritime robbers and other criminals.” The Governor envisages that when the multi-billion naira port project is completed, it will be the hub of oil and gas operation in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Ibaka port is said to be between 17 and 18 meters draught without dredging and its quay area will span over two miles (length). It is hoped that on completion, mega vessels of over 10,000 TEUs will be calling at the port and that will make it the largest in the region.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NPA expressing delight in the gesture of the Governor noted that the move to establish the deep sea port is a major step in the nation’s quest of becoming the hub of maritime operation in the West and Central African sub-region.
He noted that what is needed to realize the project is infrastructure, assuring that Ports Authority will partner with Akwa Ibom State to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is provided. He disclosed that the port project is intermodal that sees the construction of port access roads and mono- rail to ensure easy evacuation of goods out of the port.
He said the journey towards the construction of the Ibaka deep sea port dates back to the 70s but had not been taken with seriousness it deserves. “But with the new vision and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan the development of the port has become a must if the country is to achieve its dream of becoming the hub port of the sub-region.
Chief M.K Ajayi
General Manager Public Affairs
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PROPOSED SEA PORT IN OBEAKU- NDOKIAND AZUMIRI SEAPORTS IN ABIA STATE.
Obuaku Ndoki Port in Abia State is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean from the confluence of Imo River and Azumiri (blue River) which is a large and deep body water of high flowing and rich rivers. Azumiri Blue River is also 25-30 nautical miles to Atlantic Ocean for a big Seaport
Ever since the Abia State Government announced their intention to bring a Sea Port to the state, there have been many questions raised. I reached out to a source at the Government House, Umuahia to obtain clarity. I was told that the proposed location for the seaport is in Obuaku, Ukwa West, LGA. Right in Obuaku, there is a confluence point where the Imo River and the Blue River meet. The Obuaku confluence passes through Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State. In Rivers state for instance, (along Bonny River) we have Portharcourt Seaport and we have the Sea Port located in Onne, Eleme L.G.A. Onne,This is Nigeria’s busiest sea port and ranks as the largest sea port in west Africa. Did you know that while Rivers State (Porharcourt Sea Port) sits 40 nautical miles away from the Atlantic Ocean and Onne Port in River State along Bonny River sits 50 Nautical Miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. Obuaku Blue River and Azumiri Rivers is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean? To some, this talk about a sea port in Abia state may sound unrealistic but, it is not far fetched. Even if it does not get realized by the T. A administration, this legacy project will come to fruition in no distant time. - See more at: http://www.southeastnigeria.com/some-answers-to-the-the-proposed-sea-port-in-abia-state-joi-john/#sthash.pUVpKDB2.dpuf
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Onitsha River Port Complex in Anambra
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan recently commissioned the N4.6 billion Onitsha River Port Complex in Anambra State to immense fanfare.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan recently commissioned the N4.6 billion Onitsha River Port Complex in Anambra State to immense fanfare. The president reveled in the euphoria of the moment to stress that the target of his administration is to link roads, airports, seaports and rail together to easily move cargo and boost the nation’s economy. According to President Jonathan, “Transporting cargo on water is cheaper and reduces wearing and tearing of our roads.”
The importance of the Onitsha port is pivotal especially as only the Onneport is up to par aside from the Apapa Port in Lagos, and to a much lesser extent the Port Harcourt Port. There ought to be increased port activities across the length and breadth of Nigeria in the bid to decongest the Lagos Port. The enormous amount spent on demurrage is a major drawback to doing business in Nigeria
The importance of the Onitsha port is pivotal especially as only the Onneport is up to par aside from the Apapa Port in Lagos, and to a much lesser extent the Port Harcourt Port. There ought to be increased port activities across the length and breadth of Nigeria in the bid to decongest the Lagos Port. The enormous amount spent on demurrage is a major drawback to doing business in Nigeria.
The Calabar port, for instance, is quite under-utilized and the Onitsha port will definitely suffer the same fate due to the perennial problem of dredging. The shallow waters from Onitsha to Burutu and Forcados in Bayelsa cannot in any way aid the functionality of access via the inland waterways. The revamping of the inland waterways would go a long way toward the earning of revenue, creating jobs, aiding commerce and sundry trade
The Onitsha River Port Complex, handled by Messrs InterBau Construction Ltd, should not end up as yet another white elephant project dotting the entire landscape of Nigeria. The wharf, which has a width of 50m with the adjoining hardstand width of 100m, should be properly managed to go to the next stage of serving as a harbour where ships can travel from far-flung places to load and unload goods. The first prerequisite needed to make the port functional is to ensure that the River Niger is correctly dredged to carry big ships. Then follows the next stages, as noted by President Jonathan, of constructing link roads, airports, and railways to easily move cargo and boost the nation’s economy
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| http://www.shipsandports.org/detaildiscource.php?id=17 |
Onitsha Port
Sir Philip Egeolu is an economist and Maritime consultant. He writes from Lagos
What is a port?
A port is a gateway or an entry point. It is a terminal where water and land modes of transport interact. Here vessels are loaded and offloaded from one medium to another. The Federal Government has successfully dredged the lower River Niger. Now inland water trading can take place. Goods imported into the country destined for Onitsha can now be transshipped from the port of discharge in any of Nigerian seaports of Apapa, Tin can, Warri, Calabar, Port Harcourt to the port of Onitsha. These goods can now be transported on board by self propelled barges, and others. Onitsha is strategically located on the bank of River Niger. It is also the gateway to the eastern part of the country.
She is one of the strategic commercial cities of Nigeria and the West African sub-region. Onitsha is both a commercial and industrial town with business activities taking place all year round. She serves the northern, western and eastern parts of the country. Outside Lagos, Onitsha is home to major importers. Goods import range from household items, clothings, motor spares and accessories, motorcycle spares and accessories, electronics and electrical goods, building materials, pharmaceutical products, food items, foot wears, cosmetics, soap, paper, stationeries, industrial machineries and others. Onitsha river port would now be patronized by importers from Asaba, Enugu, Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi, Owerri, Orlu, Awka, and its environs. Importers need not travel to Lagos to clear their goods. Refined petroleum products would also be transported from Lagos to Onitsha by water. Passengers can also travel to Onitsha from Lagos, Warri, Lokoja, Port Harcourt, Vola, Baro by water. This would also decongest the seaports and Publishers of Nigerian Maritime Directory and decrease the volume of cargo and passenger traffic on the Lagos-Ore-Benin -Asaba expressway, and the Niger Bridge.
The port should have adequate navigational aid, systems, quay handling, and transfer systems, storage and delivery systems of a modern port. The government should ensure that cargo handling equipments are regularly maintained and the right people engaged to operate them The initial staff who will be posted to this new port should be dedicated, experienced people with a mission to succeed and make the Onitsha river port very competitive and attractive to importers. All the relevant government agencies, which include the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), State Security Service (SSS), Port Health, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria police, should ensure their presence is fully established in the port. The Federal Government should establish a naval base at Onitsha. The Council of Regulation of Freight Forwarding of Nigeria (CRFFN) should establish an office in Onitsha to regulate the freight forwarding practice at Onitsha port. Onitsha riverport would bring about a multiplier effect on the Onitsha economy in particular and the south-east geographical zone in general, Shipping companies and other companies providing shipping related services would establish in the Onitsha to handle importers consignments and also market to potential importers and exporters; in addition provide services to the vessels. Haulage and logistics companies to transport goods from the port to their final destinations would spring. Employment would be created among the youths, and other population strata. Structural and economic development would greatly take place in Onitsha, and its environments. Importers especially from the south east geographical zone should patronize the Onitsha river port to justify the Federal Government magnimity in establishing the port, and dredging the lower River Niger
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Eastern ports set for cargo competition as APM Terminals invests $30m in Onne port
Businessday news.
Importers and businessmen whose businesses are based in the eastern parts of the country have been provided with the opportunity of taking delivery of their consignments from APM Terminals at Onne Oil & Gas Free Zone.
The Onne port, which in recent times has received tremendous investments in excess of $30 million in the area of acquisition of cargo handling equipment, terminal and infrastructure development, has started receiving the largest West Africa-Maximum (WAF-MAX) vessel with 4,500 capacity twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers built and owned by Maersk Shipping Line.
Statistics have shown that majority of the seaports in the east, which include Warri, Port Harcourt, and Calabar ports built by the Federal Government to serve importers from the northern and eastern parts of the country, have been grossly under-utilised by importers.
This, according to BusinessDay checks, could be blamed on high freight charges on imports, security challenges and shallow depth of water that make it difficult for bigger vessels to call eastern ports. Due to the issue of high freight charges at the eastern ports, Nigerian importers prefer ports in Lagos as their destination ports.
The above-mentioned constraints, which make it cheaper to bring cargo through Lagos, have succeeded in ceding about 88.5 percent of Nigerian inbound cargo to Lagos ports leaving the remaining 11.5 percent to the four eastern ports. Ironically, importers in Enugu, Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi and other Eastern Nigerian markets import higher volume of containerised cargo compared to the west and northern parts of the country.
Statistics from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) show that out of a total 877,737 TEUs of containers that visited Nigerian ports in 2012, about 776,363 TEUs were brought through Lagos ports while the remaining 101,374 TEUs came through the four eastern ports. In 2011, out of a total of 817,246 TEUs of container that were brought into the country, only 80,807 TEUs came through eastern ports while the remaining 736,439 TEUs came through Lagos.
Also, Nigeria in 2012 recorded vehicle traffic of 268,026 units out of which 267,160 units were brought through Lagos ports while the remaining 866 units came through the eastern ports. The volume in 2011 stood at 231,423 units but only 579 came through eastern ports while the remaining 230,844 came through Lagos ports.
However, close industry watchers believe that the new development, which brought about larger vessels calling Onne port, has positioned Onne as one eastern port that has the capacity to compete with the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports. West African Container Terminals, which is owned and operated by APM Terminals, has a current capacity of 212,000 TEUs, but the terminal aimed to handle about 210,000 TEUs in 2013. Volumes of cargoes handled at Onne port, which is a facility located within the Onne Oil & Gas Free Zone, have grown in the past five years.
“We are very pleased with the arrival of the first 4,500 TEUs vessel size to the West Africa Container Terminal at Onne and we are investing $30 million to install the essential port infrastructure necessary for Nigeria’s economic development and to enable us serve our customers more efficiently and safely,” said Peder Sondergaard, head, Africa-Middle East region, APM Terminals.
According to him, the investment reflects the company’s overall West Africa port modernisation plan designed to serve the market’s demographic growth including the growing middle class. This is as a United Nations report released this year predicted that Nigeria’s population would grow to 440 million by 2050.
The 4,500 TEUs capacity Maersk Copenhagen called APM Terminals’ West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne (Port Harcourt), Nigeria, on December 3, 2013 and it is the largest vessel to visit the Eastern Nigerian port. The port is located along the Bonny River near Port Harcourt in Rivers State and serves major markets in Eastern Nigeria and the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Sondergaard disclosed that the NPA was instrumental to the success by widening the channel and removing some wrecks in the Bonny Channel. The port call was a trial stop for Maersk Line’s weekly Far East-West Africa (FEW2) service, which comprises 22 West Africa-Maximum (WAF-MAX) sized vessels that are equipped with on-board cranes with a draught of 12.5 metres (41 feet), (123 feet) wide and 249 metres (817 feet) long. The weekly service links the ports of Busan-Korea-Shanghai-Ningbo, and Guangzhou-China to Tanjung Pelepas to Malaysia to Walvis Bay-Namibia-Apapa-Onne in Nigeria before leaving for Luanda and Angola.
In Nigeria, APM Terminals also owns and operates the country’s largest container terminal, at the Port of Apapa, where it has invested over $200 million in upgrades since it started operations in 2006. The terminal in Apapa handled 618,000 TEUs in 2012, representing West Africa’s busiest container terminal. The company is also developing a new deep-water mega-port at the Badagry Free Trade Zone, 55 km (34 miles) west of Apapa, which would be the largest port in Africa and serve Nigeria’s growing economy.
In West Africa, the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network has facilities in Monrovia, Liberia; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Tema, Ghana; Cotonou, Benin; Douala, Cameroon; Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo; and Luanda, Angola.
By: Uzoamaka Anagor
ANSWER:
Please go learn and read about Igbo history and geography again, then you will forget the anti Biafra General Gowon policy, and false madness by some uninformed Nigerians and some myopic Nigerian leadership with false geography of Igboland, that has fooled and blinded all you their followers to dumbness. Look at the whole facts and see that Igboland is not and never have been landlocked. So you think Abia State and Anambra State will be building their own Seaport they are planning in future in the Moon?
Igboland is not landlocked according to United Nation treaty, International law OF THE Sea and African Union laws. Igboland has many Rivers, Canals, Waterways, Lake and bays in Imo State, Anambra state, Anioma, Asaba and Abia States which flows into the Atlantic Oceans and the Sea and many a distance of 30 minutes drive.
FACTS ON GROUND
Development of a Sea-Port at Obuaku-Ndoki: many Nigerians, even including many enlightened sons and daughters of Nd’igbo, had, out of geographical ignorance, borne the impression that the South-East of Nigeria is land-locked. But being a visionary leader, the truth is now being made manifest that the Blue River/Imo River confluence at Obuaku-Ndoki is only twenty-five nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean. We are thankful that your administration is working committedly to establishing a sea-port at the confluence town of Obuaku.
AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE PEOPLE OF ABIA-SOUTH SENATORIAL ZONE ON THE OCCASION OF A GRAND CIVIC RECEPTION FOR HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR T. A. ORJI (OCHENDO GLOBAL) AT ABIA STATE POLYTECHNIC, ABA ON 1ST FEBRUARY, 2014. AS SCRIPTED BY CHIEF (SIR) DON UBANI; KSC, JP (OKWUBUNKA OF ASA)
Chief (Sir) Don Ubani; ksc, JP 11/06/2013
"further inward by thinking of laying a bigger foundation of economy for not only Abia State but the whole of the South-East geo-political zone by formally conceptualizing the establishment of a sea-port at Obeaku-Ndoki, in Ukwa-East Local Government Area.
Embarking on a road map that will ginger his successor to see to the realization of a sea-port in Abia State, would correct the erroneous impression widely held by uninformed Nigerians that the South-East zone of Nigeria is land-locked. This is very far from the truth.The Imo River, which originates from Umuaku in Isuochi of Umunneochi Local Government Area meandered its way up to Obeaku-Ndoki, from where it emptied itself into the Atlantic Ocean. It is very strategic to mention that the distance between Obeaku-Ndoki and the Atlantic Ocean, which commences not far from Igwenga in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State, is only twenty-five nautical miles.For the avoidance of doubt, any zone that enjoys a proximity of even thirty nautical miles to a maritime endowment such as the Atlantic Ocean, should not in any way categorize itself as being land-locked. For the benefit of those who do not know, Port-Harcourt wharf is about forty nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean. It was dredged and scooped during the Premiership of Dr. M.I. Okpara during the defunct Eastern Region for ships to berth therein. If Port-Harcourt wharf could be made accessible to ships despite its fourty-nautical-mile distance to the Atlantic Ocean, it justifiably stands to reason that Obeaku-Ndoki Wharf, which is only twenty-five nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean, could be more readily and profitably accessed by ships. Since Nigeria parades a galaxy of consultants in marine engineering, obtaining professional advice in this regards may not be far from reach."
Chief (Sir) Don Ubani; ksc, JP(Okwubunka of Asa) Umuiku-Isi-Asa Ukwa-West L.G.A. P.M.B 7048 Aba
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FACTS ON GROUND BY Vincent Erondu
'Without Ikwerre the hinterland Igbos have many access to the sea. Port Harcourt came to prominence as from 1913 because of the development of the sea port and the Eastern Railway line. During the oil Rivers trade and the slave trade era Port Harcourt was not a factor in those trades. The trade route was through Azumini River through Ohambele via Opobo to Bonny (Ubani). At Bonny commodities were loaded and shipped overseas. Another route in fact the ealier route was through Cross River Aro chukwu to Calabar. Aboh, Onitsha and Ugwuta were also important sea routes to Atlantic ocean. Ikwerre is not wanted by the Igbo for any specific thing or need. The issue is matter of historical distortion and revisionism.
Talking about Port Harcourt, Igweocha is a common name for Port Harcourt, this name is a descripton of how the horrizon seems to be touching the ocean from a plain sea shore view. Its ancient name was odinaobu. We also have Igwenga. These names are spelt in various ways depending on the dialect of the writer.
Vincent Erondu
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Igboland is not landlocked according to United Nation treaty, International law OF THE Sea and African Union laws. Igboland has many Rivers, Canals, Waterways, Lake and bays in Imo State, Anambra state, Anioma, Asaba and Abia States which flows into the Atlantic Oceans and Sea and there are Azumiri River in Ukwa Ngwa, at Obeaku-Ndoki wharf in Ukwa-East Local Government Area of Abia State, Igwenga in Opobo (2), Igweoja High Cliff (Portharcourt), Imo River, Egbema Rivers, creeks ands tributaries, Oguta Lake/Bay, River Niger Onitsha, River Niger Asaba, Rivers in Aguleri Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area, Rivers Uzo Uwani and Ogbaru Areas ETC. which some of these Rivers have been dredged by Oil Companies like Orient Oil Company in Anambra to carry crude oil by barges through rivers in Igboland to Rivers states and Bayelsa State into the Atlantic Ocean, a distance of less than 4 hours by barges, vessels and boats and by road and rail travels of less than 2 hours drive.
Also from the border of Abia State and Imo State to the port of Portharcourt, Bayelsa, Igwenga/Opobo(2),Ahoada, Ogba is between 30 mintes to one hour drive, and if one takes Azumiri River or Imo River from the border of Abia and Imo State to the Ocean and sea port in Portharcourt is less than one hour drive and if you go by Azumiri River or Imo river by boat, vessels or barges it will take about 2(two) hours to the ocean and to sea ports in portharcourt and Bayelsa with goods and services for exports and imports. You can hardly call that a landlocked country.
Compare that to Northern Nigeria, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguiri, Chad, Niger, Central African Republic which is about 2000 (two Thousand) mile to 3000 (Three Thousand ) Miles to the nearest sea or Ocean and which take s any way from two weeks to one month for heavy goods and services to get to the nearest sea or ocean for export or importation at a very high cost.
