In a call for improved maritime efficiency, stakeholders within the industry have joined forces to implore the Nigerian government to expedite the dredging of Calabar Port.
This urgent appeal, rooted in the belief that such an initiative would significantly enhance the nation’s economic prospects, comes at a pivotal juncture in Nigeria’s maritime landscape.
Dayo Balogun, the Managing Director of Ecomarine Terminals, spearheaded the call for action, emphasizing the transformative impact that dredging the Calabar Port could have on the country’s economy.
Balogun underscored the strategic importance of Calabar as the closest port to the Northeast, positioning it as a hub for crucial economic activities.
“Calabar is currently the closest port to the Northeast, making it strategically positioned for economic activities. Unfortunately, Douala in Cameroon has as its primary market the northeastern part of Nigeria. Consequently, cargo passing through Douala results in revenue leakage from Nigeria to Cameroon,” explained Balogun, highlighting the economic consequences of neglecting Calabar’s potential.
Balogun further elucidated on the far-reaching benefits of the proposed dredging, pointing out that it would play a pivotal role in catering to importers from the southeast and other regions of the country.
The proximity of Calabar to the Northeast, coupled with its strategic geographical location, positions it as a linchpin for efficient trade operations.
“The cost and inconvenience endured by importers in these regions to retrieve containers from Lagos underscore the potential gains of investing in Calabar’s dredging,” Balogun argued, shedding light on the logistical challenges faced by importers in regions currently reliant on Lagos for their maritime needs.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), acknowledged that the dredging contract for the Calabar channel had been awarded several years ago.
However, he disclosed that protracted litigation between the NPA and the contractor had stymied progress on the vital project.
Despite the setbacks, Bello-Koko reassured stakeholders that the Federal Government had taken proactive steps to address the impasse.
An out-of-court settlement with the contractor is now in motion, signaling the government’s commitment to surmounting obstacles and expediting the much-needed dredging of Calabar Port.
As the call for action reverberates within the maritime community, the imperative of dredging Calabar Port becomes a focal point for the Nigerian government.
The potential economic windfall, coupled with the strategic advantages presented by Calabar’s geographical location, underscores the urgency of prioritizing this crucial infrastructure project to propel Nigeria into a new era of maritime efficiency and prosperity.
