By Ada Samson, Abuja
Excitement filled the air at Onitsha River Port in Anambra State at the weekend as the first barge of the new year berthed at the facility, marking a tentative step forward for the long-underutilized port.
The Port Manager, Martins Osazuwa, confirmed the development on Friday through the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), revealing that the inaugural barge carried a shipment of tiles from Ajaokuta in Kogi State. “This is a success story that other companies can emulate to cut transportation costs,” Osazuwa said.
The port manager painted a picture of what could be, describing the facility as the “golden egg” of the eastern region with vast economic promise. “If fully operational, the port can generate N10 billion annually,” he stated, before expanding on the broader benefits: “If fully operational, the port could save money, reduce road pressure, decongest Lagos and other ports, and generate up to N100 billion.” These ambitious projections highlight what’s at stake for regional commerce, particularly for South-East businesses that currently endure congested Lagos ports and the resulting logistical headaches.
Yet the celebratory mood was tempered by familiar challenges that continue to plague the port “The government should assist us in overcoming these challenges and encourage stakeholders to utilise the port”, he explained.
He cited a trifecta of persistent problems – insecurity, low patronage, and the critical need for dredging along the River Niger. The security situation remains particularly troubling, with Osazuwa noting that “the presence of militant youths and pirates hampers the port’s full operation”.
The port’s troubled history looms large over this latest development. Originally constructed in 1983 under President Shehu Shagari, the facility spent decades in various states of neglect before being rehabilitated in 2012 under President Goodluck Jonathan.
A brief revival came in 2018 during the Buhari administration, but operations have remained frustratingly seasonal, peaking only during rainy periods when the Niger’s water levels can accommodate vessel traffic. This cyclical pattern has left regional businesses frustrated, with many arguing that a properly functioning Onitsha port could transform the economic landscape of the South-East.
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