A former banker and financial expert, Chief Eusebius Onyemelukwe, has called on the Anambra State Government to ramp up efforts in attracting private investors to operationalize the Onitsha River Port. Onyemelukwe believes that activating the port will create new revenue streams for the state and boost its economic profile.
Speaking to newsmen on the current state of Anambra’s economy, Onyemelukwe emphasized that the Onitsha River Port has the potential to generate over N23 billion for the state, according to investment data. While the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has made attempts in recent years to make the port functional, these efforts have yet to materialize.
Onyemelukwe lamented that despite Anambra’s vast inland waterway resources, previous administrations had failed to harness its full potential, preventing the state from making a significant mark in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“Operationalizing the Onitsha port will complement the state’s commercial and industrial potential. It will reduce the high costs that traders incur moving goods from Lagos to the Southeast by road,” he said. Onyemelukwe added that the port’s operations would also alleviate the strain on the state’s roads, which are often damaged by heavy-duty trucks transporting goods.
He proposed a collaborative effort between the Anambra and Kogi State Governments to develop the River Port at Lokoja, which would allow for easier shipping of containers to the northern parts of Nigeria. According to Onyemelukwe, larger vessels can offload containers at Nigerian seaports and transfer them to smaller vessels that would transport the goods along the River Niger to both Onitsha and Lokoja.
“This would reduce the financial burden of road rehabilitation and provide an alternative, cost-effective means of transporting goods,” he noted, describing the initiative as a “win-win situation” for all involved.
In addition to the river port, Onyemelukwe advised Governor Charles Soludo to prioritize infrastructure development in the state, particularly in Anambra South Senatorial District. He called for the construction of a roundabout flyover in the industrial town of Nnewi and the dualization of roads connecting to the roundabout, which he believes would enhance Nnewi’s economic growth and elevate it to a world-class commercial hub.
Onyemelukwe also advocated for the establishment of a modular refinery in Aguleri, Anambra East, to address the state’s petroleum product scarcity and further contribute to its economic development.
As Anambra continues to explore new avenues for economic growth, Onyemelukwe’s recommendations highlight the untapped potential of the state’s natural resources and the importance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable development.
