₦airaland Forum

Onitsha River Port was built under the administration of then-President Shehu Shagari in 1983, but remained non-functional for several years amid South-east agitation for an operational port in the region.

There was excitement on Monday at the Onitsha River Port, Anambra State, when the first barge for the 2025 berthed at the port.
The Port Manager, Martins Osazuwa, confirmed the development on Friday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Osazuwa said the first barge was loaded with tiles from a company based in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, Nigeria’s North-central.

He described the barge’s arrival as a success story that other companies could emulate to cut transportation costs. ‘Onitsha Port can generate N10 billion annually’ Mr Osazuwa said the Onitsha Port can generate N10 billion annually if fully operational.

He described the port as the “golden egg” of the eastern region, with vast economic potential.

“If fully operational, the port could save money, reduce road pressure, decongest Lagos and other ports, and generate up to N100 billion,” he said.

The manager lamented that the port has been facing various challenges. He listed them as insecurity, low patronage, and delays in dredging the River Niger. Mr Osazuwa urged federal and state governments to provide incentives to attract more port patronage.

He also appealed to the Nigerian government to dredge the port, noting that dredging would ease the movement of goods. According to him, the presence of militant youths and pirates also hampers the port’s full operation.

“The government should assist us in overcoming these challenges and encourage stakeholders to utilise the port,” he said.

Onitsha port was built in 1983 during the administration of then-President Shehu Shagari. However, the port remained non-functional and unutilised until 2012, when then-President Goodluck Jonathan rehabilitated and commissioned it.

Again, the port was left unused until 2018 when President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration reopened it for operation.

Since then, activities at the port have been seasonal, which usually peaks during the rainy season when the River Niger’s water level is high enough to accommodate vessel traffic.

Importers and business persons in the South-east have repeatedly agitated for the establishment of a functional port in the region, stressing that the situation has forced them to endure congestion at Lagos ports.

They argue that establishing a functional port in the South-east would cut logistical delays, reduce business costs, and drive economic growth in the region.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/813067-onitsha-port-welcomes-first-barge-in-2025.html l

This was late in coming, but it is great step in the right direction. Dredge the Niger and watch the SE blossom some more. Now lets roll

Imagine since 1983 o, they perpetually kept the SE in the coven so that there won't ever be any light in that region.

Noted.

Don't ask Nairaland members for contact details (email, phone, bbpin) or investments.

phorget:
Imagine since 1983 o, they perpetually kept the SE in the coven so that there won't ever be any light in that region.

Aka ekpuchi onwa
The moon cannot be covered with hand

Great news from onitsha.


I remember sumone from. Onitsha ordered a 👟 from me and he vowed to always reach outt to me whenever he needs more....


Onitsha is a great place

Thats y Buhari removed shagari. Buhari, a good man with bad intentions, tinumpoo, a bad man with good intentionsl

Still they will hate the president that made it happen.

That's a great move in the right direction.
All we need is to do the right things, and evil will fizzle out. Nigeria will be alright again.

So barge came and nobody took a picture, is this not propaganda?

Before APC goons will come and start praising Tinubu, they should read the article very well.

The Port is already functional but unutilized due to the delay in dredging the River Niger. It is only used when the tide is high enough to take in a Barge.

The article clearly states that activities at the port have been seasonal, typically peaking during the rainy season when the River Niger’s water level is high enough to accommodate vessel traffic.
In fact, the Port Manager is even begging for the Government to intervene. He literally said "If fully operational, the port could save money, reduce road pressure, decongest Lagos and other ports, and generate up to N100 billion,”

We are in the rainy season, so this is the first vessel coming in this year. It has nothing to do with Tinubu's administration.

Elipsis:
Since then, activities at the port have been seasonal, which usually peaks during the rainy season when the River Niger’s water level is high enough to accommodate vessel traffic.

Barge can move all year round in shallow water.

40 characters gboooaaa

Am happy for my Igbo brothers.The only snag is that Onitsha Port needs consistent periodical dredging of the River Niger which will gulp billion of dollars and will also affect the fishing activities of the neighboring region.
Dredging can disrupt fish habitats, reduce fish populations, and affect the overall health of the ecosystem. The process can create turbidity, which affects water quality and can harm fish, and also remove or bury fish spawning grounds and food sources.
A cost of preference has to be done here and certainly,to use Onne Port,which is closer, becomes the more viable option.

This is NOT the first time a barge is berthing in OSHA.

Premium times , Punch Newspaper, should reorganize their propaganda skit to elevate a failure called TINUBU.

Propaganda won't sway anybody.

TBH
you guys should stop this political lies and propaganda

where are the pictures?

wtf

I am laughing at this development because their people will still come tomorrow and say give us sea port

phorget:
Imagine since 1983 o, they perpetually kept the SE in the coven so that there won't ever be any light in that region.

who are the "they"?

how does a port not functioning since 1983 automatically equate to keeping "SE in the coven so that there won't ever be any light in the region"?

If they don’t collectively address insecurity. I am sorry for the SE. they encouraged it in the name of Biafra now it’s out of hand that’s what happen when you put tribalism in everything.

At first it was against the Nigerian government. They were sharing them in the markets, applauding them for killing policemen now it’s too late. Their elder statesmen that got 90% of vote from there is obviously influential and can pull his weight to address this things but he is busy playing politics. Even though you hate the government what about working with the government just to save the lives of your people but no they want cheap political point at the expense of thier people dying. Chai

Somehow, I take this news with a bag of salt as people on ground have refuted this claim but if it’s true, it’s a welcome development that has been a long time coming. I’ve always been an advocate for dredging the Niger 🇳🇪 n order to decongest Apapa and increase trade in the eastern and middle belt regions

Elipsis:
Since then, activities at the port have been seasonal, which usually peaks during the rainy season when the River Niger’s water level is high enough to accommodate vessel traffic.

Barges are specifically designed to navigate shallow waters. Their flat-bottomed design and shallow draft allow them to operate in areas where deeper-draft vessels cannot. This makes them ideal for inland waterways, rivers, and coastal regions where the water depth is limited.
I don't know why it is seasonal if it is about barges

Can igbo now go home, the excuse don cast . Go home now

SocialJustice:
So barge came and nobody took a picture, is this not propaganda?

but if someone told you TINUBU ordered them not to use it, you will believe it without evidence because you don't like him. chai, I reserve my comments.

Waoh.....this is a great milestone by the Propaganda In Chief.

I can confirm this, same way we all witnessed the full operation of the PH refinery.

Nobody rules a nation with lies and propaganda!

Tinubu doing all he can just to appease we Igbos because he knows nobody can win elections without Igbo support

Nice one igboland

Now it is left for stanluiz people to stop coming to the SW and stay home

See you and fake LOVE.

Onitsha port will flourish and those containers will move in bulk now sef.

Ogbeni, your Apapa Port is being dredged constantly. You can NEVER know that, because your OGA hasn't educated you in your WhatsApp group. Go and get informed instead of levitating in your blanket myopic thinking.

Moreover the habitat of marine life within the SE is constantly replenished because it falls within an estuary belt.

Go and get educated... propaganda can NEVER equate to knowledge.

IGBOs will harness the port to its fullest potential and all your pain is highly appreciated.

Thank you.

Putinofrussia:
Am happy for my Igbo brothers.The only snag is that Onitsha Port needs consistent periodical dredging of the River Niger which will gulp billion of dollars and will also affect the fishing activities of the neighboring region.
Dredging can disrupt fish habitats, reduce fish populations, and affect the overall health of the ecosystem. The process can create turbidity, which affects water quality and can harm fish, and also remove or bury fish spawning grounds and food sources.
A cost of preference has to be done here and certainly,to use Onne Port,which is closer, becomes the more viable option.

And some will be using lagos to brag and compare with Anambra....imagine if lagos had their ports shut down for almost half a century.... dem no go de drag omo nile

Get educated.

Don't disgrace Awolowo and his free education he gave your ancestors.

madridguy:
I am laughing at this development because their people will still come tomorrow and say give us sea port