₦airaland Forum

Barge kwa.....other ports are berthing...50, 100, 200, 500MT etc vessels and ships, diswan is busy berthing barge...I know people from that side will not allow us hear words today.

kettykin:
This is a cheering news but what's wrong with the dredging of river niger, we have river ports in China that are navigable all year round

ariesbull:
they have no choice than to allow it...it's an international water cabotage law...not allowing it is prerequisite to anarchy and chaos

PHIPEX:
Lol, first barge in 2025 is coming in August. Nigeria and Nigerians are a special specie who knows what is right but will never do it.

The Ronus want them to go back to the East but will never relinquish their money flowing through Apapa port or Lagos International airport. They will rather see Nigeria go down than decongest Apapa port and decentralise the inflow of cargo and passengers from Lagos to other regions

Revealpanda:
Those who want Igbos to go back to the east should tell the federal government to put more effort into this project.

It will help make Igbos stay in the East and allow Yorubas to have their Lagos in peace.

If otherwise is the case it means... They dislike Igbos but ironically love the revenue they get from them

Igbophobia:
'He attributed the seasonal operation to the inconsistency of dredging and channel management of the River Niger, rather than a lack of infrastructure or demand.'
just gave thieving nigerian politicians what to campaign with for igbo votes.

greenermodels:
All the eastern ports especially Onitsha are very economically viable but poor governance and backward politics wouldn't allow them to thrive,we still have a long way to go in this country but who's the leader to lead us on that journey?

PrinceofSarcasm:
Seems the Yoruba don't want them to have their own port, but who cares it doesn't concern me

No sensible Govt will dare dredge River Niger, people of NC ply their trade in fishing and you think dredging the river won't affect their trade and livelihood?. That's why no Govt will ever dredge it. That aside, the financial wastage on such venture, no Govt can afford its consistent dredging. If Onitsha port is too shallow, use Onne port.

Hemanwel:
Did I just see or hear Onitsha Port? So, where now is the landlockedness of the SE, a farce that has been peddled for far too long by Rhino O'Monkey due to his hatred for the region?

River port, not Seaport.

The Niger Delta will need to give you permission to pass through their territory before you can access the River port.

If they don't give you permission, that's all. You will need to carry the barges on your head and run across the water

Good new s

kettykin:
This is a cheering news but what's wrong with the dredging of river niger, we have river ports in China that are navigable all year round

It will cost nothing for the federal govt to dredge the river niger but ethnic politics won't allow those in power to do it. Dredging the river niger and making all the ports in the south south to function properly is far more important than even building a railway to niger republic.

Putindbutt:
No sensible Govt will dare dredge River Niger, people of NC ply their trade in fishing and you think dredging the river won't affect their trade and livelihood?. That's why no Govt will ever dredge it. That aside, the financial wastage on such venture, no Govt can afford its consistent dredging. If Onitsha port is too shallow, use Onne port.

It doesn't affect North Central ...Onitsha is down stream and it isn't not the issue with NC what they do with their river


Jealousy make e no go kill you abeg

With all the developers and billionaires; and Infact the apparent only candidate for presidency for this region having been a governor, why have they not used their own resources to maintain the dredging?

A few years ago, we did not hear word that they were seceding and not Nigerian, so how were they going to develop their region if Federal government didn’t have to come and do everything, but building the empty mansions that litter their countryside?

Hemanwel:
Did I just see or hear Onitsha Port? So, where now is the landlockedness of the SE, a farce that has been peddled for far too long by Rhino O'Monkey due to his hatred for the region?

This is why you should get an education.
Landlocked countries also have Ports, you think Nigeria republic doesn't have a port?
Kaduna state is building a dry port.
Get some education and stop talking like a caveman

Revealpanda:
Those who want Igbos to go back to the east should tell the federal government to put more effort into this project.

It will help make Igbos stay in the East and allow Yorubas to have their Lagos in peace.

If otherwise is the case it means... They dislike Igbos but ironically love the revenue they get from them

I honestly pray Tinubu intervened. Most igbos will still not leave Lagos even if it become so good cos Lagos is a version of mini Nigeria which has the highest patronage. How will Emeka who sells electronic will now ship his goods to east, so he expects who reside in Lagos to come down and buy when yomi for instance can simply take the advantage and start shipping and selling the electronic in the area he has left. if Emeka chooses to still operate his store in Lagos, then shipping to the east and taken it back to Lagos to sell back is foolishness and it will lead to loss. The population of Lagos should be close to 50m. So there is already a market. I can place a bet that if Tinubu dredged the Onitsha port, 80% of igbos into buying and selling will still remain in Lagos. Only the few industrialist and those already selling similar items will benefit cos they will save cost of transportation of thier equipment and others from Lagos to their region.

kettykin:
This is a cheering news but what's wrong with the dredging of river niger, we have river ports in China that are navigable all year round

Is China also one of the countries with the highest number of children out of school like ours, even though the majority of those who are lucky to be in school are in private establishments that are hardly supervised due to inadequate number of well paid professional staff in the civil service.

If you have not addressed the basic issues, then how do you address secondary issues in a sustainable manner

anonimi:
Ratio of public to private schools in Lagos State is one to 22 ― Commissioner
September 4, 2022

The Lagos State government has said the ratio of public to private schools at both primary and secondary school levels in the state is one to 22.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, gave the revelation in her remark at the 2022 edition of the Total School Support Seminar Exhibition (TOSSE) held at Oregun in Ikeja between Thursday and Friday.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ratio-of-public-to-private-schools-in-lagos-state-is-one-to-22-%E2%80%95-commissioner/

Toruibestate:
It will still need to beg Ijaw to pass Ijaw land into the ocean.


We Ijaws are of Ijaw Republic..

@General Ditari

Nigerians and backward thinking are 5 and 6. Does the Government also need to beg you if they are building a road from your region to another?
Hope you are not one of those ones who would steal oil and destroy the lands and waters while claiming to be fighting for the Niger Delta?

kettykin:
This is a cheering news but what's wrong with the dredging of river niger, we have river ports in China that are navigable all year round

African rivers have navigational issues such as being seasonal, rapids & falls etc.

President Yar'adua started the dredging which was stopped by President Goodluck Jonathan 👌📌

AngelSlay:
While the vision for Onitsha River Port is promising, proper dredging alone won’t guarantee a year-round, thriving commercial hub. Inland waterway transport in Nigeria has long faced challenges beyond infrastructure—such as inconsistent policy implementation, bureaucratic bottlenecks, security concerns along river routes, and inadequate integration with road and rail networks.

Yes, the demand exists, but without a coordinated approach that addresses these systemic issues, the port risks becoming an underutilized asset like several other government-led projects. Instead of focusing solely on dredging and physical infrastructure, the priority should be building a sustainable operational framework—clear regulations, private sector incentives, and security guarantees—that ensures the port’s long-term viability and competitiveness.

Is it not the same region ships do come to lift crude oil to overseas without any security challenges?

Let’s break this down into two parts for those Nigerians that are confused on why and how this can be possible there are laws that allows the South East access the international waters and there is absolutely nothing anyone can do even the littoral states. ...it's international laws

1. How international waters and dredging are regulated by international law


2. What happens when countries decline to allow or use waterways leading to the ocean (with examples)




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1. International Legal Framework for Waters & Dredging

International law distinguishes between international waters (high seas) and international rivers (shared or transboundary).
Dredging — the excavation of sediments to maintain or deepen waterways — can be regulated under both maritime law and environmental law.

A. International Waters (High Seas)

UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982)

Governs all activities in international waters and many in coastal zones.

Dredging in international waters generally falls under freedom of the high seas, but must comply with environmental protections (Part XII of UNCLOS) to prevent pollution or habitat destruction.

In Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), coastal states have sovereign rights over seabed resources and dredging, but must allow “innocent passage” for navigation through territorial seas.


London Convention & Protocol (1972, 1996)

Controls dumping of dredged material at sea to protect the marine environment.


IMO (International Maritime Organization) Guidelines

Sets safety and environmental standards for dredging vessels and operations.




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B. International Rivers & Transboundary Waters

Helsinki Rules (1966), UN Watercourses Convention (1997), and UNECE Water Convention (1992)

Apply the principle of equitable and reasonable utilization of shared rivers.

Dredging in a shared river requires consultation with all riparian states to avoid harming navigation, water quality, or ecosystems.


Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements

Many treaties require advance notification and EIA before dredging that could affect another country.




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2. Countries Declining to Use Waterways to the Ocean

Sometimes, a country that controls part of a navigable river chooses not to develop or dredge it for navigation to the sea — either for environmental, economic, or political reasons.
This can affect landlocked or upstream neighbors who rely on the river for maritime trade.

International law position:

Under the UN Watercourses Convention, states are encouraged but not forced to maintain navigation unless there’s a binding treaty (like the Danube Convention).

If no navigation treaty exists, a coastal state can legally decline to dredge its section — but this may harm relations and lead to disputes or arbitration.



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3. Examples

Example Situation Legal/Political Outcome

Paraguay–Argentina (Paraná River) Paraguay depends on Argentina’s dredging of the Paraná to reach the Atlantic. Disputes arise when Argentina delays dredging or increases fees. Negotiated under the Paraná–Paraguay Waterway Agreement; disputes handled diplomatically.
Bolivia–Peru–Chile (access to Pacific) Bolivia is landlocked after losing coastline to Chile. Has treaties for free transit but no obligation for dredging rivers. International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2018 that Chile had no legal obligation to negotiate sea access.
Danube River (Ukraine–Romania) Disputes over dredging the Bystroye Canal for shipping; Romania objected on environmental grounds. Addressed under the Danube Commission and Espoo Convention on cross-border EIAs.
Mekong River (China & downstream states) Some stretches are not dredged or kept navigable year-round, affecting Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam. Handled within the Mekong River Commission; China is not a full member, limiting enforcement.



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Key takeaway

In international waters: dredging is generally free but regulated for environmental impact.

In international rivers: no country can force another to dredge unless a treaty says so, but the equitable use principle encourages cooperation.

Disputes are typically resolved through bilateral treaties, river commissions, or ICJ arbitration, not direct enforcement.

NDLE better be on triple watch without blinking an eye, they have their hand full at this Port.

Borrow2222:
https://punchng.com/onitsha-port-welcomes-first-barge-of-2025-season/

Toruibestate:
It will still need to beg Ijaw to pass Ijaw land into the ocean.


We Ijaws are of Ijaw Republic..

@General Ditari

You fly to bring it to Ijaw land I guess?

Small pikin Brian.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Toruibestate:
It will still need to beg Ijaw to pass Ijaw land into the ocean.


We Ijaws are of Ijaw Republic..

@General Ditari

Not really, you can only own the land, but nobody owns the River

Hemanwel:
Did I just see or hear Onitsha Port? So, where now is the landlockedness of the SE, a farce that has been peddled for far too long by Rhino O'Monkey due to his hatred for the region?

A lot of people dont know the difference between being landlocked and having access to sea. The think that unless you have a 'beach', you are landlocked

They don't understand that you can be inland, but if you have a River going to sea, you have access to the sea

ariesbull:
It doesn't affect North Central ...Onitsha is down stream and it isn't not the issue with NC what they do with their river


Jealousy make e no go kill you abeg

Really, it's not an issue with NC what they do with the River?. Do you know your geography?

WizardOfNG:
Yoruba this and Yoruba that. Yorubas send you people how? Do you even know one Yoruba person well to understand how we think and what matters to us?

We aren't tagged sophisticated and progressive for nothing. If we are the most exemplary enablers of others in our land, arguably to our own detriment, how does it make sense we resent the success or progress of others in their land?

The politics of making only lagos ports to function effectively in nigeria might not be a general yoruba agenda but no sensible person will deny the fact that there's actually a deliberate systematic agenda to frustrate other ports in the south east and south south from functioning to their maximum capacity over the years by yorubas that runs lagos. Only a peter obi presidency will expose this age long agenda for all to clearly see.

Toruibestate:
It will still need to beg Ijaw to pass Ijaw land into the ocean.


We Ijaws are of Ijaw Republic..

@General Ditari

Why do you guys make uninformed comments like people from the forest?


So you think the ships that come to Lagos Apapa or Tincan ports didn't pass through some country's territorial waters and canals?


They just drop from China to Tincan Port?


Why do u think Iran was threatening to shutdown their canal to thousands of vessels sailing to different countries?


Please try and study wide before starting your Ijaw agitation.


There is United Nations charter that makes it compulsory to allow other nations have free access and passage to your waterways so it's beyond your primitive thinking

Hemanwel:
Did I just see or hear Onitsha Port? So, where now is the landlockedness of the SE, a farce that has been peddled for far too long by Rhino O'Monkey due to his hatred for the region?

gidgiddy:
A lot of people dont know the difference between being landlocked and having access to sea. The think that unless you have a 'beach', you are landlocked

They don't understand that you can be inland, but if you have a River going to sea, you have access to the sea

It is a river port, it takes barges and smaller vessels t berth. It is several kilometers far off access to the sea.

Putindbutt:
It is a river port, it takes barges and smaller vessels t berth. It is several kilometers far off access to the sea.

Some nations turn their rivers to vessel carrying water, it's all about investing to dredge and expand it to go deeper enough to carry large or medium sized vessels as the case maybe.


And there is United Nations charter that compels all nations to allow other nations access and passage through their waterways to access the sea if need be.


Southeast is not landlocked, those are statements made by uninformed, primitive haters

Revealpanda:
Those who want Igbos to go back to the east should tell the federal government to put more effort into this project.

It will help make Igbos stay in the East and allow Yorubas to have their Lagos in peace.

If otherwise is the case it means... They dislike Igbos but ironically love the revenue they get from them

Can you just listen to yourself? Why wait for the federal government to dredge this port for you? Can't your billionaires come together? Can't your governor look for investors and dialogue with the FG? Habaaa. Hold your governors accountable for once naaaah. Shuoooo

danvon:
Geography.

China is wealthy because of its good river which facilitates its trade.

Africa is behind because its rivers arent good for trade

Abeg which one be good river and bad river. Expecting a response please. 40 characters

Nothing to cheer about!
Successive govts were playing politics with the dredging of the Lower Niger, which would have improved the economy of the South East and it's environs.
They are enjoying the money that accrues to them at Lagos and Porthacourt.
If federal govt. can build dry ports in the north, what stops them from dredging the River Niger.
All thanks to late Buhari who made the Second Niger Bridge realistic. Jonathan was dancing on the project all through his tenure, using it a campaign tool.

FreeStuffsNG:
The statement in bold is the reality they don't tell the uninformed ones from the Southeast.

So FG will keep pouring billions into regular dredging regularly when there are alternative ports and rail networks to deliver goods from the ports at cheaper costs? That doesn't make any business sense.

This is why the private sector has never seen the business sense in having any port in the landlocked Southeast.

Nobody will throw money down the sink to build a port for billions and continue dredging it with billions at regular times when there are even seaports and dry inland ports.

Please stop the propaganda. There’s no profitable business case for it just because regular dredging is required and many ecosystems will be destroyed along with potential flooding disasters.

What about the federal govt that's building railway to a desert in niger republic and even recently approved a #1.5t internal railway system in Kano state what's the federal govt generating from this region for it to deserve billions of dollars to be invested there compared to a 2 -3 years regular dredging of the river niger that will not only serve the Onitsha port but also ports in kogi and niger state?

Mrexcell:
The politics of making only lagos ports to function effectively in nigeria might not be a general yoruba agenda but no sensible person will deny the fact that there's actually a deliberate systematic agenda to frustrate other ports in the south east and south south from functioning to their maximum capacity over the years by yorubas that runs lagos. Only a peter obi presidency will expose this age long agenda for all to clearly see.

The Ibos were very close to GEJ when he was the president. Obi was part of the economic team. Bro, please what happened during those period, that the issue of Eastern port didn't come up?