Oguta/Orashi river dredging will expand Nigeria’s shipping sector- Osinbajo

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has flagged off the hydrographic survey and dredging of the Oguta/Orashi River in Oguta local government area in Imo State.

The dredging of the river will link Imo to Degema in Rivers and to the Atlantic Ocean.

Speaking at the ceremony at the bank of the Oguta/ Orashi river on Thursday, Osinbajo said that the project would connect waterways to hinterlands and expand the country’s shipping and agricultural sectors.

He added that the project would expand Nigeria ‘s free trade zone and aid its contributions to Africa and global trade.

He enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with the government of Imo State and the Nigerian Navy to see the project to fruition.

He said, “Today marks an important milestone in the economic development of Imo, the Southeast and Nigeria at large and could not have come at a better time than now.

“It gives me great pleasure to be part of this historic initiative. I enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to put hands on deck to actualise this project.”

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said the project would be executed through a public-private partnership, adding that it would create additional employment opportunities for the Imo people.

He said, “This project is a harbinger of several other multifaceted projects encapsulated in the socioeconomic development of Imo with the capacity to equip the Southeast with a robust and self-sufficient economy.

“We shall establish an industrial cluster in the area to aid economic activities. Imo and the private sector will fund the project in synergy with the Nigerian Navy,’’ he said.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, in his remarks said the project would provide the enabling environment for wealth generation and movement of goods and services.

He called for a quick dredging of the access route and also thanked President Buhari for the provision of effective hydrographic services.

He also thanked Mr Uzodimma for partnering with the Nigerian Navy and called on the host communities to protect and preserve the legacy.

President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu described the dredging as a dream come true and urged government to speedily actualise the project.

“Ndigbo are happy; Igbo are grateful. Igbo people in the diaspora are ready to contribute to the funding of the project, if need be,” he said.

Mr Iwuanyanwu said also that the Igbo people had no intention of seceding from Nigeria.

He pleaded with President Buhari to actualise the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu before the end of his tenure.

The event was attended by prominent traditional rulers including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi among others.