The stalled Lokoja port project has drawn sharp criticism from the House Committee on Waterways, chaired by Hon. Ojema Ojotu, during a site visit on Monday.
The committee expressed concerns over the prolonged delay in the completion of the project, which has lingered for nine years. Ojotu called for urgent action to revive the port, highlighting its strategic importance to Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure and economic growth.
Speaking at the site, Ojotu lamented the lack of progress, stating, “We are here at the site of Lokoja port and we have discovered that the project has been lying low for a number of years. We are saying that the government, as a matter of priority, should give necessary attention to this project, considering the fact that the project is located at a very strategic place in this country.”
He underscored the port’s proximity to Abuja and its potential to connect with major ports like Warri, Baro, and Onitsha. He emphasized the need for an alternative transportation system to reduce reliance on roads and airways, addressing issues such as congestion, accidents, and inefficiencies in the current system.
Ojotu called for a “workable, stable, and well-advanced port system” to modernise Nigeria’s waterways.
Ojotu also took aim at the contractor handling the project, demanding accountability.
“We are calling on the contractor handling this project to, as a matter of urgency, speed up the job. If he has any challenges, we are going to summon him to the National Assembly to engage him on why the contract has been lingering for so long,” he said.
He added that if the delays are found to be the contractor’s fault, the National Assembly would advocate for the revocation of the contract.
The chairman pledged that the committee would push for the necessary resources to complete the project if government funding is the issue.
“We are ready to do everything to ensure the system is working. Under our watch, it must work,” Ojotu stated.
He also pointed out the presence of expensive machinery on-site, suggesting that some progress had been made but expressing frustration over the slow pace of work.
“From the look of things, the work is not making headway. For the purposes of emphasis, we have met with the management of NIWA, and they have told us their own side of the story. The contractor is not on ground. We need to hear his side of the story because you cannot barb a man while he is absent,” he added.
The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, echoed Ojotu’s concerns and welcomed the committee’s visit, describing it as an “auditing visit.”
He explained the steps NIWA had taken to address the delays, including engaging with the contractor and arranging for interim financing.
“The management had a meeting with the contractor three months ago. What we discovered and agreed on was to structure an abridged finance for this contractor. That was the reason why you see these equipment. We spoke with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to bridge the finance for him before the implementation of the disbursement of our budget,” Oyebamiji said.
However, Oyebamiji pointed out that inadequate funding had been a significant bottleneck.
“The fund allocated to this project is not adequate. But with the visit of this committee, I hope we will have robust funding for this project in 2025. This will aid the development and growth of this port,” he stated.
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