The Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA), on Wednesday, lauded the Federal Government for approving the dredging of the Warri/Escravos seaport.
The WACCIMA President, Simon Asite, applauded the Federal Government in an interview with journalists in Warri, Delta State.
Asite noted that the Federal Government’s approval of the project as the greatest thing that had happened to Warri in recent years.
He said the dredging of the Warri/Escravos River would revive economic activities in the moribund Delta ports, and by implication create jobs for the teeming unemployed in the area.
The N13 billion project was approved recently by the Federal Executive Council.
He said, “The maritime sector of WACCIMA has been advocating for the dredging of the Warri/Escravos channel, which is the gateway to cargoes coming into Delta port.
“Dredging the Warri/Escravos River will help to create employment for the youth, turn around the inflow of revenue in the area, and also increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for both the state and the Federal Governments.
“Heavier vessels and ocean-going liners carrying containers can now sail into Delta port thus boosting commerce.
“Hospitality industry will be busy, transporters, market women, in fact, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will rise astronomically to the benefit of the government, people, and the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).”
Asite specifically commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, for her effort toward ensuring that the contract was approved.
The chamber president called on the NPA boss not to rest on her oars until the contract is successfully implemented.
Asite advised the government to disregard the rumours that Warri was not safe for business activities.
He said, “Federal Government should ignore those peddling negative rumours that Warri has security challenges and kindly kick-start the implementation of the contract.
“It has enormous economic benefits to the state and the central governments, as well as the private sector.”