Private firm takes over Onitsha port operations for 30 years

Private firm to run Onitsha port for 30 years, says FG

The Federal Government has handed over to a concessionaire the operation of the Onitsha port in Anambra State.

The private firm, Universal Ellison, will operate it in partnership with a foreign investor for 30 years.

This came just as discussions are ongoing on the concession of Baro and some other ports.

The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), George Moghalu, disclosed this on Thursday when he spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said that such licensing would ease pressure on the government and attract revenue to it.

“For Onitsha, we have successfully concessioned and handed over to Universal Elison, a company that is partnering with Port of Tuna for the next 30 years.

“Now, because of limited resources and to reduce pressure on the government, we opened up discussion with other interested organisations, unsolicited proposals have come for the concessioning of Baro in Niger State, Oguta in Imo and Lokoja, Kogi capital; although they are still under construction.

“So, we are discussing with them; the advantage here is that it will reduce pressure from the government; these people own this port, complete the port, put the port to use and pay royalty to the government.

`So, it has a lot of advantage and we are working conscientiously on that.’’

The NIWA boss said that Oguta River Port was not on the budget prior to his appointment but had been brought back to the budget. (NAN)