Tinyemeka:

How would revenue be generated to justify the project costs?
If it were to be handled by private investors, the government would come in with their taxes and cut into profits.
On the other hand, the government of present Nigeria would hardly consider executing a project of such magnitude.

Private investors can lobby HOR and Senate members to push it forward.

Just saying.

it can be done and the project will be state owned and royalty paid to the government only

What excruciating and grotesque grammar!

Awoofawo:



Not trying to be bigotry o, just asking for clarity sake!

Are folks planning to build this as a independent Nation or while still part of the zoo?

Depending on your answer, be prepare to pay owo omo onile (oyinbo pple callam Right of Way Fees)

No pun intend and insult is welcome!

Aigbofa:
What happens when the northerners decide to put a bigger dam on the river Niger? Are you going to supply this canal with borehole water?
This same scenario is playing out between Ethiopia and Egypt.

we are not talking about the river niger and the river niger is not running into north but through southsouth and to the sea. if they ever think of damming the river, then nigeria should be ready to soak its land with high level of floods.

VickJames:


we are not talking about the river niger and the river niger is not running into north but through southsouth and to the sea. if they ever think of damming the river, then nigeria should be ready to soak its land with high level of floods.

How then do you want to feed the canal if not by river Niger? What body of water is big enough to feed the canal since you already know the rivers are flowing southward?
What you consider flood plains could become valuable rice farms, artificial lake, there are different possibilities.

ayoolanr:


Exactly what i thought! Just because it is named "Imo" river does not mean it is only theirs! The source might be from Imo, but if it passes through some other SS regions like i think it does (not too familiar with the geography), then those communities can equally lay claim for the section that passes through their region! I am just saying......incase these wannabe biafrans think they will have access to the Ocean through this river, they better think twice

my brother the thing tire me o,this plan can't work lai lai,,is just like the mali government to start dredging the river niger from koulikoro in mali all the way to lokoja and down to onitsha then to the sea..they will have to dredge it from mali to guinea,from guine to benin republic,then to Nigeria.and we can't do anything about it cause is an international river

Aigbofa:


How then do you want to feed the canal if not by river Niger? What body of water is big enough feed the canal since you already know the rivers are flowing southward?

we are actually talking about azumiri river in abia state. it is different from the niger river

Omololu007:
my brother the thing tire me o,this plan can't work lai lai,,is just like the mali government to start dredging the river niger from koulikoro in mali all the way to lokoja and down to onitsha then to the sea..they will have to dredge it from mali to guinea,from guine to benin republic,then to Nigeria.and we can't do anything about it cause is an international river

lol. let me laugh with you. but you're wrong.

VickJames:


we are actually talking about azumiri river in abia state. it is different from the niger river

Is this Azumiri big enough to supply the canal big enough for ocean going vessels?
What about the SS region? Have you asked for their opinion about dredging the part of the river on their territory?

Aigbofa:
What happens when the northerners decide to put a bigger dam on the river Niger? Are you going to supply this canal with borehole water?
This same scenario is playing out between Ethiopia and Egypt.

Which canal? The River Niger doesn't feed the Imo River.

Aigbofa:


Is this Azumiri big enough to supply the canal big enough for ocean going vessels?
What about the SS region? Have you asked for their opinion about dredging the part of the river on their territory?

the dredging will not be to widen the river but to deepen it. this is not the problem of the other territories because we have right of passage. The only time the problem will arise is if we try to widen the river. that means encroaching their region.

the river at the confluence is big and deep. the only thing we need to do is to dig deeper than we have it now, this will make the river what we want it to be.

the people in the south south should understand that we dont to interfere with their environment. the only communication we need is the river and it is important.

Aigbofa:


Is this Azumiri big enough to supply the canal big enough for ocean going vessels?
What about the SS region? Have you asked for their opinion about dredging the part of the river on their territory?

This idea is not new, the river isn't just to the benefit of Igboland.

Imo River dredging: Russal to pay $120 million

ABUJA -Russal Aluminium Company Limited, the core investor in Aluminium Smelter Company, ASLCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, must refund $120 million to the Federal Government coffers with all interests and charges accruable, three years after it reneged on a contract to dredge the Imo River.

This is part of the decision of the House of Representatives and the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, have agreed by the two bodies during a hearing by the House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, headed by Hon. Brimoh Abass, in Abuja recently..
The 40-km wide Imo River could be a very vital inland water way that could stimulate trade and commerce within its catchments basin, but only when dredged to hold large barges.

The amount is part of the $250 million controversial Share Purchase Agreement, SPA by the company and the BPE in which $120 would be used to dredge the Imo River in 2006.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/12/imo-river-dredging-russal-to-pay-120-million/

ezeagu:


Which canal? The River Niger doesn't feed the Imo River.

Okay, the canal will be on Azumiri river, I got that. We are talking of ocean liners here, is this Azumiri big enough to supply the the needed volume of water for this canal all year round?
Are you assured of total cooperation from the SS?

agohmamuda:
We would have used my ship to confirm if it can or not but my brother went out with it with his friends. If you can wait sha, till he comes.

guy you wicked.

Aigbofa:


Okay, the canal will be on Azumiri river, I got that. We are talking of ocean liners here, is this Azumiri big enough to supply the the needed volume of water for this canal all year round?
Are you assured of total cooperation from the SS?

The affected communities are coastal ones who have already seen plans for dredging the river as has been posted above. The area around the Imo, again, is sparsely if at all populated until you get to Abia state. The idea of a canal was a earlier suggestion for smaller boats, maybe barges. If a larger canal is needed, there are several rivers, including the upper Imo, the Aba River, and Cross River at Arochukwu that can feed it.

abe4kom:
What excruciating and grotesque grammar!

The problem with most of you folks is your inability to live and let others live. You expect other tribes to bow to your wishes while protecting your selfish interests.

Are you brain-dead or what? Did I insult your tribe? And talking about grammar, you must be high on some cheap weed if your brain can't comprehend what I posted.

The biggest and costly mistake will be in trying to force other minority in delta to join the biafra union... Write that down, Igbo can go to the end of the earth, I don't give a shi@t.

rozayx5:


imo river passes through my village.in akwa ibom . it wud be a welcome idea

K

I've read a number of constructive posts from Pro Igbos and Eastern Region guys on this thread. Honestly I wish I can meet, deliberate and work with some of you guys.

Ezeagu, I'm humbled sir
VickJames, I relate
Lygn 19, you were making lots of sense in the beginning but... We've all gotta choose a side and get focused.

This may or may not be about Biafra but at the end of the day it benefits us all.
.
.
Anyway, I just want to know the distance we intend to go on both sides of the water body in this dredging project considering its financial implications and effect on the local community.
2. What guarantee do you give that the governments of AKS and Rivers will rather not develop their own seaports and make you come down to theirs for your wares?

There are so many other questions but these are not the kind of things we should discuss on a platform that is open to prospective dissidents.
I'm glad that some Igbo people still think and that the Igbo awareness is spreading. I'm very elated...and I must say that this is the post that has appealed to me the most since I joined this forum.

Thank you all. I just hope and wish for a purposeful meet.

Aigbofa:


How then do you want to feed the canal if not by river Niger? What body of water is big enough feed the canal since you already know the rivers are flowing southward?
What you consider flood plains could become valuable rice farms, artificial lake, there are different possibilities.

Please pay attention,doofus.
This thread is talking about the Imo river,not the Niger river.The Imo has nothing to do with the Niger.There's another we haven't even touched on,the Cross river.I'm sure that one will give you serious heartache.
Btw,should anyone,thinking foolishly as you parasites on this threads have done,dam the Niger completely,in an attempt to starve Igboland of natural waterway,states such as Kogi,Nasarawa and Benue will be completely wiped out.Ordinary Kainji dam and an expanse of land as big as Lagos was submerged.Asked the people of Niger state why they clamoured for HYPADEC for years.

Eintelekt:
I've read a number of constructive posts from Pro Igbos and Eastern Region guys on this thread. Honestly I wish I can meet, deliberate and work with some of you guys.

Ezeagu, I'm humbled sir
VickJames, I relate
Lygn 19, you were making lots of sense in the beginning but... We've all gotta choose a side and get focused.

This may or may not be about Biafra but at the end of the day it benefits us all.
.
.
Anyway, I just want to know the distance we intend to go on both sides of the water body in this dredging project considering its financial implications and effect on the local community.
2. What guarantee do you give that the governments of those AKS and Rivers

the financial aspect is very cumbersome for the state government of the east to take on but if its privately constructed, then it is possible. the rivers and akwa ibom government shouldnt find it as problem.

the dredging exercise will only be deepening the river and not widening the river. the communities close to the river should be happy because it will bring economic life to the region.


we all have right of passage and it shouldnt be a problem except we want to dredge to widen the river. the only part we will widen is where the port will be.

And you wasted the whole space just to say that?

Awoofawo:


The problem with most of you folks is your inability to live and let others live. You expect other tribes to bow to your wishes while protecting your selfish interests.

Are you brain-dead or what? Did I insult your tribe? And talking about grammar, you must be high on some cheap weed if your brain can't comprehend what I posted.

The biggest and costly mistake will be in trying to force other minority in delta to join the biafra union... Write that down, Igbo can go to the end of the earth, I don't give a shi@t.

Dhugal:

Please pay attention,doofus.
This thread is talking about the Imo river,not the Niger river.The Imo has nothing to do with the Niger.There's another we haven't even touched on,the Cross river.I'm sure that one will give you serious heartache.
Btw,should anyone,thinking foolishly as you parasites on this threads have done,dam the Niger completely,in an attempt to starve Igboland of natural waterway,states such as Kogi,Nasarawa and Benue will be completely wipe out.Ordinary Kainji dam and an expanse of land as big as Lagos was submerged.Asked the people of Niger state why they clamoured for HYPADEC for years.

if anyone tries to dam any big river is in for a big problem and the water will submerge the neighbouring communities. that is what they dont understand.

the sea is coming to the south east, we wont look for the sea.

ask an average person in the south south riverine areas, ask them the depth they dug before they made their boreholes. ask them how the water taste when they first tasted it.

this is to show you that the sea is coming, and it is coming very fast.

all of a sudden the imo river has caught the interest of everyone just because igbos want to use it... a river that was of zero importance before now has become what every non igbo wants to kill himself for

abe4kom:
And you wasted the whole space just to say that?

You are craving for attention, don't got time for iranu (as you don't worth it!)
Have a nice weekend mr so-so!

lygn19:
all of a sudden the imo river has caught the interest of everyone just because igbos want to use it... a river that was of zero importance before now has become what every non igbo wants to kill himself for

that means we are thinking and every rejected river can be made into a cornerstone river

VickJames:


the financial aspect is very cumbersome for the state government of the east to take on but if its privately constructed, then it is possible. the rivers and akwa ibom government shouldnt find it as problem.

the dredging exercise will only be deepening the river and not widening the river. the communities close to the river should be because it will turn bring economic life to the region.


we all have right of passage and it shouldnt be a problem except we want to dredge to widen the river. the only part we will widen is where the port will be.

We cannot depend on the government for this kind of project. They will at best use it as some form of campaign promise and that will be it. Somebody even posted something of sort from TAO's administration.
We are used to that and should by now be wiser.

There are individuals in Igbo land who, if I'm not exaggerating are wealthier than these governments. We can start with those who are directly affected, our business men in Aba, Onitsha and Lagos. It all depends on our ability to convince them... they in turn can influence the government. If you know how these things work.
We just have to get determined and proactive.

I also will like to get the views of a geologist, a geographer, and a maritime Engineer on this topic.

That South East has access to the sea is no longer news. That South East can have a viable SEAPORT is no longer in doubt. The political will of a sitting Abia state governor or the collective will of the SE governors to the project is what will determine the success or failure of such a project.

My recollections are as follows:

CALABAR PORT is 55 Nauticals to the ocean.
Port built on Calabar river.

WARRI PORT is 60 Nautical miles to the ocean.
Port built on Warri river

PORT HARCOURT PORT is 55 Nautical Miles to the ocean
Port built on Bonny river

OBUAKU CONFLUENCE PORT in Abia state will be 25 Nautical miles to the ocean.
And will be built at the confluence of Imo/Azumini river. It was the major and shortest sea route in Southern Igboland (including Diobu Port Harcourt), used by King Jaja for palm oil exportation. This was before PH port was established in the last century.

Other references: PORT OF HAMBURG GERMANY is 110 nautical miles to the North Sea, built on the Elbe River.
It is the largest seaport in Germany and the second largest in Europe after Rotterdam.

PORT OF NEW ORLEANS, USA is 150 nautical miles to the ocean - Gulf of Mexico
It is the 6th largest in the USA with the record of having the longest wharf in the world.
Built on Missisippi River

VickJames:


if anyone tries to dam any big river is in for a big problem and the water will submerge the neighbouring communities. that is what they dont understand.

the sea is coming to the south east, we wont look for the sea.

ask an average person in the south south riverine areas, ask them the depth they dug before they made their boreholes. ask them how the water taste when they first tasted it.

this is to show you that the sea is coming, and it is coming very fast.

We've continually told them that travelling,in addition to reading wide and comprehending,is an education but they'll rather sit their butt in some corner Of Osun or Oyo state n make some ridiculous postulations.
Go thru most threads on nairaland,you will never see a northerner from Niger,Kogi,Benue or even Kwara state make such ludicrous assertions as these ne'er-do-wells would,no matter what hate such may harbour for the Igbo.Mere seasonal rains always have their lands under water,not to talk of damming the Niger n Benue completely in a hare-brained scheme to starve Igboland of natural waterway.
I wonder the sort of youngsters being churned out by Nigeria's educational system,going by how they reason on this thread.

Wao! For me this a welcome idae for the south-east to have her own sea port,but my main problem is this "will the igbo people unite their self to see that such an idea become a reality" because i know that with the collabration of every well wishing igboman this will be a success.

Eintelekt:


We cannot depend on the government for this kind of project. They will at best use it as some form of campaign promise and that will be it. Somebody even posted something of sort from TAO's administration.
We are used to that and should by now be wiser.

There are individuals in Igbo land who, if I'm not exaggerating are wealthier than these governments. We can start with those who are directly affected, our business men in Aba, Onitsha and Lagos. It all depends on our ability to convince them... they in turn can influence the government. If you know how these things work.
We just have to get determined and proactive.

I also will like to get the views of a geologist, a geographer, and a maritime Engineer on this topic.

the truth is that we cant relegate this project to the people living in this areas because it is a very cumbersome project and it will eat deep into their pocket. we are proposing a better way of raising the fund. it will be elastic.

the creation of the seaport will not end after creating the seaport but there are other things to be done to ensure the maximum utilisation of the seaport that will benefit the whole region.

onyeekul001:
Wao! For me this a welcome idae for the south-east to have her own sea port,but my main problem is this "will the igbo people unite their self to see that such an idea become a reality" because i know that with the collabration of every well wishing igboman this will be a success.

we will unite. no problem

VickJames:


the truth is that we cant relegate this project to the people living in this areas because it is a very cumbersome project and it will eat deep into their pocket. we are proposing a better way of raising the fund. it will be elastic.

the creation of the seaport will not end after creating the seaport but there are other things to be done to ensure the maximum utilisation of the seaport that will benefit the whole region.

I am very interested in this project and will love to be a part of it...even as I do not guarantee financial support I would be glad to participate in any way necessary. Please do share.
..and I believe you did not understand my stance. This is politics and there are king makers. I am not suggesting that we tax the indigenous peoples living in the areas. I don't know your financial capacity and social standing but....

These business men can convince and pressure the government into financing this project faster than any of us. All it demands is to show them what they stand to benefit at the end.

VickJames:


the financial aspect is very cumbersome for the state government of the east to take on but if its privately constructed, then it is possible. the rivers and akwa ibom government shouldnt find it as problem.

the dredging exercise will only be deepening the river and not widening the river. the communities close to the river should be happy because it will bring economic life to the region.


we all have right of passage and it shouldnt be a problem except we want to dredge to widen the river. the only part we will widen is where the port will be.

the only time it would be a problem is if d country breaks, then we ve to sign international mou's but we are under one country so anything we will be contending with is the fg