By Stella Obi
The Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Patricia Igwebuike, has said that the State is willing to collaborate with Federal Government, agencies and international sectors to ensure that the Onitsha River Port is viable and complements other ports across the country.
Mrs Igwebuike stated this on Tuesday, during the Business Day Maritime Conference 2025 in Lagos with the theme; “Strengthening Nigeria’s Maritime Business: Bridging Policy Gaps and Optimizing Global Competitiveness.
The Commissioner highlighted Anambra’s strategic role in the nation’s trade network, saying that the State serves as a gateway for most of the imports for the Eastern region of Nigeria.
“Most of the imports into the Eastern parts of Nigeria come through Anambra State. Everyone must work together to ensure that Onitsha River Port complements other ports in Nigeria,” she said.
She emphasised that unlocking the capacity of inland waterways, particularly through Onitsha River Port, would not only ease pressure on Lagos ports, but also enhance trade connectivity across the country.
While saying that Anambra State is committed to contributing its quota to the realization of national maritime objectives, the Commissioner urged the Federal Government and private sector players to intensify efforts in implementing policies that will transform Nigeria’s Maritime sector from vision to action.
In her keynote speech, former Director General of NIMASA, Mfon Usoro said that Nigeria’s Maritime Sector must embrace bold regulatory reforms, transparent tariff regimes and sustainable blue economy growth, if it has to compete globally.
Mrs Usoro informed that the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) bill, must be followed by effective implementation and institutional strengthening.
She identified areas for urgent attention as; regulatory and institutional reform, competition and transparency, infrastructure and investment, blue economy development and collaboration and stakeholders engagement.
In his remarks the Registrar, Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Kingsley Igwe, advocated for constant sensitization of Freight Forwarders and the need for them to practice the profession with license.
Contributing, the President of Africa Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative, Dr Felicia Mogo, called for the review of maritime policies to meet the current market needs of the sector and in alignment with the goals of the International Maritime Organisation.
Stella is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
