The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) said it has commenced trial movement of containers from Onne Port to Onitsha river port by barges.
The agency said it would also begin the trial movement of containers from Lagos to Onitsha by barges soon.
NIWA spokesman, Jibril Darda, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said the operation would also involve the movement of export goods from Onitsha river port to Onne Port.
According to him, the second phase of the test-run would involve the movement of containers from Lagos seaports to Onitsha river port as well as returning empty containers and export goods from Onitsha to Lagos ports.
The NIWA officer area manager in Onitsha, Queen Uba, said the agency has been working towards full operation of a port in the South East.
“NIWA has put in place all necessary things for the effective operation of the port and we are just waiting for the completion of the concession process.
“While we are waiting for the completion of the concession process, the management has entered into an agreement with Connect Rail Services Limited to kick start the lifting of goods from the port to other places in the country,” Uba said.
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