FEDERAL Governments ongoing dredging efforts of the nations channels got a boost as emerging 2010 statistics showed a significant surge in the number of ocean carrying vessels which operate in Nigerian waters, rising from 4,832 in 2009, to 4,962, and reflecting a 7.9 per cent increase.The total gross tonnage of the ocean carrying vessels operating in the country also rose to 108,621,872 which showed a 20.1 percent increase over the 2009 figure of 97,796,560.The Nigerian Ports Authoritys (NPA) General Manager, Chief Michael Ajayi, who confirmed these figures while lauding the growing relationship between the NPA and its dredging partners and terminal operators, noted that the citizens would soon begin to enjoy these benefits in concrete terms.He observed coastal vessels that called at the ports in 2010 stood at 21,950, reflecting a 26.1 per cent increase over the 2009 figure of 17,403; while the gross tonnage of the coastal vessels in 2010 which was 6,818,827 actually showed a growth of 18.6 per cent over 2009 figure of 5,747,640.The increase in cargo throughput witnessed in the year under review is a reflection of the regular dredging/maintenance of the channels embarked upon by the management in conjunction with the authoritys Joint venture partners. This development allowed for bigger draught vessels with large volume of cargo into Nigerian Ports.This laudable improvement can be attributed to the successful port reform process of the Federal Government of Nigeria which was embarked upon to re-engineer and make the Nigerian Ports Compete favourably with other ports in the world.The Nigerian Ports Authority, in fulfilling its obligation of planning, development and maintenance of port infrastructure and provisions of common user facility as laid out on the concession agreement, has continued to undertake the massive reconstruction of quay walls, rehabilitation of Harbour moles, access roads and sidings, he stated further, adding that the Joint venture agreements with consortiums of Channel Management companies for the dredging and maintenance of channels were ongoing.The removal of critical wrecks has ensured that draught requirements for safe navigation of oil and gas tankers as well as big vessels were achieved he indicated.The company spokesman highlighted that his Managing Director, Mallam Omar Suleiman, was already working on a blue print, outlining the future programmes of the Authority for further improvement so as to ensure that there is further improvements this year in a bid to further attract more vessels, develop new port facilities, expand the existing port facilities and develop the necessary infrastructure to make Nigerian Ports the hub in the West and Central African Region.
Click here to read full news..
