The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to prevail on the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, to work with his Government in creating the right environment for the development of the state.
He made the appeal during the commissioning of the Port Harcourt Dockyard Liquid Waste Management Treatment Plant which was commissioned by Osinbajo on Friday.
Wike also called for the dredging of the Rivers Port Waterway to increase economic activities at the Port which will generate more employment.
The governor, while lamenting that the NPA has not been good neighbours to the Rivers State Government, informed the Vice President that the NPA entered into an agreement with his government to construct the Industry Road leading to the Port Facility, but the federal agency reneged on its commitment.
“I want to report the NPA to Your Excellency, the Vice President. They have not been good neighbours. We entered into an agreement to fund the construction of the Industry Road leading to the Port. The NPA reneged and the State Government had to fund the project single-handedly.
“Till date, the NPA has not paid its counterpart fund for the construction of that road. All they are interested in, is to collect rents from the occupants of the Port,” he said.
The Governor said, “The Port here has to be dredged. Without the dredging of the waterway to this port, employment cannot be generated. I call on the Rivers son who is an executive director in NPA to work for the dredging of the waterway by NPA”.
Speaking at the event, Osinbajo said the project was in line with the Build Operate and Transfer Agreement between African Circle and the Federal Government, stressing that the agreement was for a period of 20 years.
He said that Africa Circle has by the completion of the facility, executed a good part of the agreement.
Osinbajo assured that the Federal Government will continue its partnership with Africa Circle Pollution Management Limited for the promotion of environmental protection and sanitation.
Osinbajo said that the commissioning is another opportunity for Nigeria to lead the way in the improvement of the environment.
He added that the Federal Government’s ease of doing business policy will be diligently pursued. He added that the dredging of Warri Port is on course with a railway line into the hinterland.
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