The Federal Government has said it has concluded plan to engage relevant stakeholders to address the persistent traffic gridlock at the nation’s ports.
Rep. Victor Akinjo, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, made this known on Thursday during the committee’s tour of the facility at the Ocean and Cargo Terminal in Warri.
Akinjo said that the gridlock cost Nigeria about N600 billion monthly which he said was a huge loss.
The committee chairman said the purpose of the visit was to interface with the maritime operators and regulators.
Akinjo commended the management of Ocean and Cargo Terminal, urging them to aggressively pursue delivery on its obligations as contained in the agreement.
Responding, Mr Olatunji Olusinde, the Executive Director (Legal Unit)/Secretary, Ocean and Cargo Terminal, said that the company would create about 300 direct jobs when it comes on stream.
Olusinde said that skeletal operations would commence in January 2020. He appealed to the Federal Government to fast track the dredging of the Escravos water channels to allow navigation of bigger vessels.
In his remarks, the Delta Port Manager, Mr Okeke Okeke, said that the port would create a multiplier effect when it runs optimally.
Okeke, however, said that the port was in synergy with the Nigeria Navy and the host community to ensure adequate security.
