Maritime experts and industry insiders are urging the Nigerian government to prioritize the dredging of Calabar Port, emphasizing the crucial role it plays in enhancing efficiency and driving economic growth in the country.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Dayo Balogun, the Managing Director of Ecomarine Terminals, emphasized that the dredging of Calabar Port holds immense potential to significantly benefit Nigeria’s economy. He further stressed that the dredging would facilitate smoother operations for importers, particularly from the southeast and other regions of the country.
Balogun underscored the strategic positioning of Calabar Port, being the closest port to the Northeast, which makes it pivotal for economic activities. He pointed out that currently, Douala in Cameroon serves as the primary market for the northeastern part of Nigeria, leading to substantial revenue loss for Nigeria as cargo passing through Douala results in financial leakage to Cameroon.
Moreover, Balogun highlighted the challenges faced by importers in the northeastern regions, citing the cost and inconvenience involved in retrieving containers from Lagos. He emphasized the immense potential gains from investing in the dredging of Calabar Port, thereby addressing these issues and bolstering economic activities in the region.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, disclosed that despite the award of the dredging contract for the Calabar channel years ago, the project had been stalled due to litigation between the NPA and the contractor. However, Bello-Koko revealed that the Federal Government has taken an affirmative step by initiating an out-of-court settlement with the contractor to expedite the project.
The urgent call to dredge Calabar Port underscores the vital role it plays in driving economic development, boosting trade activities, and preventing revenue loss. With concerted efforts and prompt action from the government, the dredging of Calabar Port stands as a pivotal step towards unlocking its full potential and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
