It may no longer be business as usual for individuals and firms behind the alleged mid-stream discharge of cargoes across the country.
Speaking at the commissioining of Onne Ports Complex phase 4 projects and ground-breaking ceremony of Phase 4B penultimate Friday, the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar also advised owners of illegal jetties to close down their operations.
He said illegal jetties and midstream discharge of cargoes pose economic and security risk to the nation.
Umar explained that all cargoes must be discharged at Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) designated terminals, adding that there was no going back in development of Ports infrastructure under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Umar’s submission is coming less than one week after the Federal Government identified adequate utilisation of the Eastern ports as one of the most effective ways of de-congesting the Lagos ports frequently patronised by importers and exporters.
The Vice President, Namadi Sambo who unveiled the Phase 4 projects and performed the groundbreaking ceremony of phase 4B on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan said the Federal Government would continue to empower the private sector in line with the transformation agenda.
He urged the private sector to take advantage of the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Niger Delta to invest under a PPP arrangement.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, who also spoke at the event attended by the Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi, traditional rulers, among others reintegrated Federal Government resolve to make Nigeria attractive for business.
In his welcome address, the Chairman Board of Director of NPA, Chief Tony Anenih, said the development of phase 4B is consistent with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.
He said the proposed facility would enhance revenue and open up the zone for economic activities including creation of numerous jobs for Nigerians.
He said the facilities would meet the demand of operators in the oil and gas sector, adding that “Intels should be commended for this achievement”.
The six year project is also expected to generate about 5,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for both professionals during its execution and about 20,000 direct and indirect job opportunities when it is in full operation.
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