The Federal Government has stated that it has begun the process of concessioning Baro Port after fully concessioning Onitsha Port.Information Guide Nigeria
Dr George Muoghalu, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, told our correspondent in an exclusive interview that the Onitsha River Port has been effectively handed over to the concessionaires, Universal Elysium Consortium.
It should be noted that the concessioning deal was signed in June 2022 with the then-Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisoloa Saraki, and Managing Director, NIWA, George Moghalu, in attendance, and the paperwork was turned over to the business in June 2022.JAMB Result
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Muoghalu was quoted at the event to have said, “We have gained a lot of experience but as to whether we have confidence in the process, we have. As to whether expectation is high, expectation is high and we are going to be guided and when you are doing this type of thing, you must do it properly in line with international best practice. The major emphasis is to be able to move consignments from Apapa and Tincan to Onitsha and other inland ports because as we are talking about this. We are also starting the process of concessioning the Baro, Lokoja River Port and Oguta Port which have been completed. But just like the roads, we have security challenges. We are going to be addressing the challenges as they come but we are not scared about it because it is not insurmountable.”
Giving update on the concession, he said, “Onitsha Port, has been concessioned, we have handed it over to winners, Universal Elysium Consortium with the port of Antwerp, so they have taken over the port. It took place on 30th of June. So for now, it has not got to the time I will go for inspection but they are putting a whole lot of things in order. For Baro Port, we are setting the machineries in motion for the concession, it will be concessioned too having concluded Onitsha own.”
