The Nigerian Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed plans by the federal government to launch the dredging of the 162 km Ajaokuta-Onitsha waterways on April 28, in Kogi.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Amaechi said that the dredging was an initiative of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).


The Minister commended the Managing Director of NIWA for the initiative, adding that already, the organisation had mobilised its dredgers to carry out maintenance dredging on the Ajaokuta-Onitsha waterways, to ensure smooth navigation of barges and vessels.

“This is a good idea; the NIWA Boss tries to get back our old dredgers to do the dredging by ourselves, not by contract, because we do not have money to award contract.

“Those companies that can use barges can move their freight; it is 2.5 metres raft. We just want the waterways to be navigable,’’ the minister said.


He said that the move would go a long way in facilitating the transportation of freight to the eastern part of the country.

The first phase of the project would include 80 metres radius from the ramp, 250 metres upstream and 50 metres down stream.

Keneking:
Amazing; so Onitsha port would soon receiving cargoes and vessels containing oil etc from China and Europe.

SuperS1Panther:
This validates what we have always been saying, which some emotional bush babies were crying about.

No matter the dredging, ship cannot enter that water body. It is only barges that can.

TabletMan:
useless routes are to be dredged. what is the economic importance of this ajakota to Onitsha.

“Those companies that can use barges can move their freight; it is 2.5 metres raft. We just want the waterways to be navigable,’’ the minister said.


He said that the move would go a long way in facilitating the transportation of freight to the eastern part of the country.

The first phase of the project would include 80 metres radius from the ramp, 250 metres upstream and 50 metres down stream.

“This is a good idea; the NIWA Boss tries to get back our old dredgers to do the dredging by ourselves, not by contract, because we do not have money to award contract.

Schematics:



At least this route can connect Onitsha directly to the FCT.

TabletMan:
From Onitsha to Ajakota is a useless route to be dredged by fg. I can't imagine traveling from Onitsha to nsugbe on a boat even if it's a speed boat. who and who is going to travel from Onitsha to okene on boat? when GUO, GIGM and other transport companies are there. Nobody can agree to ferry his/her goods through that waterways. Nigerian waterways are still unsafe and underdeveloped.

Schematics:
It is not about humanbeing travelling on the route but about goods/servies, agricultural products etc. The value chain of the route cannot be over-emphasised.

omenkaLives:
Another Northern project!

Government of the North, for the North,and by the North.

Pity.

Smh.

omenkaLives:
Another Northern project!

Government of the North, for the North,and by the North.

Pity.

Smh.

omenkaLives:
Another Northern project!

Government of the North, for the North,and by the North.

Pity.

Smh.

Esseite:
Hmmmmm

Nnamdi kanu granted bail.. hmmmmm
Dredging of water ways... hmmmmmm

All in one week without debate or the regular back and fort banters...

When its too good to be true... you begin to ask questions..

Its seems their is something the govt has either covered up or wants to cover up

Schematics:
It is not about humanbeing travelling on the route but about goods/servies, agricultural products etc. The value chain of the route cannot be over-emphasised.

madridguy:
If Onitsha is part of Biafra the FG should not bother to waste their money. All we want is B**fr* I have to censor it for the sake of my future Amaria.