The reactivation of moribund seaports in the country, especially those littering the South South, is the right step towards alleviation of poverty, underdevelopment and unemployment, thereby boosting the economy.
Deputy governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro, disclosed this on Tuesday night while hosting members of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the utilisation of the South South and South East seaports, at Government House, Asaba.
Otuaro said, “The move by the committee to look into the remote causes of the under-utilisation of the seaports is commendable. You should ensure that your effort is geared towards full utilisation of the ports. When you put them to good use, the economy of host communities, states and the nation at large will ultimately be boosted, coupled with the jobs it will create for our people.”
He further said that the coming on stream of the Warri seaport would, no doubt, strengthen the ‘Stronger Delta’ vision of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the area of job creation and increase the revenue base of the state.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Yusuf Yakubu, had said that they were in the state to know why the Warri Seaport was under-utilised and to find a way out.
“It is unfortunate that most seaports in Nigeria were in bad shape. We, members of the House of Representatives, decided to investigate the reasons as a way of bringing them back to live, as it will boost the economy of the nation, alleviate poverty and create wealth,” he said.Yakubu vowed that no effort would be spared in bringing the ports on stream and sued for the cooperation of all Nigerians.
On his part, vice chairman of the committee, Thomas Eriyetomi, who represents Warri North, believes that “when the port comes alive, it will turn the economy of the state around.”
