Give Life To Seaports In Niger-Delta As Your Parting Gift; Barr. Imonina Urges Buhari

A Warri-based lawyer and social rights activist, Ogheneluemu Sylvester Imonina has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately put machinery in motion and give life to seaports in Niger-Delta areas before the winding down of his (Buhari) administration. This call was made by him recently in Ozoro, Delta State, when he played host to a social-cultural group known as “Equity Committee of Friends”.

According to Barr. Imonina, in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, there was an economic boom in Warri, Sapele, Koko, Port-Harcourt, Calabar, and other Niger-Delta towns that have Ports. In his words, “In those days, young boys who were interested in school leavers’ jobs pending furthering of their education and/or pursuing other areas of endeavours were gainfully employed in those ports. As a matter of fact, recent analysis from experts shows that Warri Port alone can provide employment opportunities for not less than five thousand able-bodied men. In other words, where five thousand men are employed by Warri Port alone, the resultant effect is that five thousand homes will be out of poverty, thereby reducing social vices that are associated with joblessness”.

ALSO READ: DELSU VC Underscores Alumni Role In Universities, Lauds Alumni Awardees

Barr. Imonina further stated that the mainstay of Lagos State economy is the Ports. The social rights activist queried the rationale behind the Federal Government’s nonchalant attitude towards the resuscitation of these moribund Ports in the Niger-Delta despite the fact that Lagos State is totally congested! And clearing of Cargoes and/or goods in those Ports in Lagos State by businessmen is a herculean task and a recipe for manpower and economic wastage year in and year out!

In the words of Barr. Imonina, “President Muhammadu Buhari should do everything within his power to see that the Ports in Niger-Delta areas work; as there is no hope of the Ports in the Niger-Delta working after the end of Buhari’s Government. The reason being that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the incoming President of Nigeria who is a Lagosian and former Governor of Lagos State, will do everything within his power to first promote the economic interest of Lagos State before thinking of other States”.

Imonina also called on the Governors in Niger-Delta to put aside their individual interest and collectively push for the resuscitation of the Ports in the region. It is not too late to get the Ports working as a parting gift from President Muhammadu Buhari”.