Nigeria: The Calabar Port is all set to finally witness some action in the right direction with a ship calling at the port after 3 years, a dredging dispute solved after 16 years and politicians wooing voters with the pledge to revamp and boost the port through more investment if they came to power.
The Calabar Port has been caught in the midst of a storm since 2006. After more than a decade and a half, a consensus has been reached via an out-of-court settlement between the Nigerian Port Authority and the European Dredging Majors – Jan De Nul (DJN) and Van Oord. The 56 Mn$ contract which was awarded to the dredging majors were dropped midway and they took the contract awarder to Court. The NPA authorities have assured that the channel would be revitalized and a business boom is imminent.
A container Vessel, VALUE TYLER, 190 meters long carrying a cargo of 204 trucks and a few containers, called at the Calabar Port. No vessels have called at the Port in the past three years, the Port Manager, Mr Olumati said. The berthing of the ship was in line with the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) resolve to revamp the port to attract customers, adding that it would generate employment for Calabar residents. Olumati added that more than 50 persons were supporting the shipping company in the discharge of the trucks and the containers.
Meanwhile, two-time Lagos Governor and frontline presidential aspirant under the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu have promised to give priority to the dredging of Calabar Port if nominated and elected in the 2023 general election. He also promised to expand the Calabar Seaport with a view to attracting more vessels into the state for economic growth. “Calabar is a great city; I want to assure the people of this state that I will expand the Calabar seaport for more businesses to thrive through the maritime sector.” He said.
Once the channel is deepened, renewed activities will heighten the port’s role in the contributing to the local economy and the country’s on the whole. It is a news to cheer for the locals too as it brings more employment too to the region.
