SIX additional ports are to be built by the Federal Government along the lower River Niger in the Niger Delta region.
They are to be built at the completion of the dredging of the River Niger, according to the 42nd session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which yesterday approved contracts for the construction of the Inland Port and ancillary facilities at Baro, Niger State, at a total cost of N3.56 billion.
In the meantime, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has demanded the implementation of true federalism in the country with every state taking total control of its resources and paying 75 per cent tax to the Federal Government.
To this end, the forum said the proposed 10 per cent stake in the petroleum industry for the oil producing states would become unnecessary once this fundamental issue was addressed through constitutional amendment.
The FEC also approved the expansion and upward review of the contract for the completion of the Galma Multipurpose Dam in Kaduna State from an initial figure of N4,933,166,034.84 to a total of N11,773,832,429.57.
A contract for the maintenance of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria project systems of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency at a total of 20.6 million Euro was also okayed. The contract is aimed at ensuring an equipment maintenance system for the nation’s aviation sector, is expected to last for a period of five years.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the Council meeting, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, said: “Following a memo presented by the Minister of Transport, Council approved the implementation of Addendum No. 2A to the main contract of Ajaokuta-Warri Rail line for the completion of the remaining approximately 22km, including sidings from Ovu village to Delta Steel Jetty, Aladja: Construction of six stations and rehabilitation of the completed line up to 254km. The contracts awarded to two contractors in the sum of N9,243 billion plus £109,284 million and N594,515 million plus £7 million, payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment and both with a completion period of 40 months.
“In line with the seven-point agenda of the present administration and its policy of developing an efficient water transportation system in the country for the movement of passengers and goods between the coast and the hinterland, Council considered and approved the award of contract for the construction of the inland River Port and ancillary facilities at Baro, Niger State in the sum of N3.56 million with a 20 months as completion period.
“Recall that the contract award for the dredging of the lower River Niger spanning over 520 kilometres was purposely made for water transportation. In this vein, government has awarded the building of a new port terminal and ancillary facilities at Baro, Niger State, which will help in easing pressure on our existing ports and will also reduce pressure on the roads because large cargoes will be transported through water via this port.
“In President Yar’Adua’s master-plan for water transport sector, plans are to build additional six ports along the lower River Niger at the completion of the dredging of the River Niger. All these efforts are in keeping with President Yar’Adua’s administration’s seven-point agenda. Henceforth, with such interventions in railway rehabilitation, our roads will be saved from repeated dilapidation and damage due to over use and overweight cargoes.”
Akunyili explained that the revision of the contract and its cost followed the new focus of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to move away from single-purpose dam as it is “uneconomical.”
She added that a series of studies conducted by many consultants on the Galma River system between 1979 and 2005 reveals that it has potentials for “irrigated agriculture, hydro-power generation and potable water supply.”
In a statement yesterday, the National Chairman of the Middle Belt Forum, Wilberforce Juta and its National Publicity Secretary George Ohemu, noted that implementing the suggestion would ensure that every state optimally develops her resources, thereby diversifying the nation’s economy, promote healthy competition, dynamism, mutual respect and enhanced productivity which will result in prosperity for all.
According to the statement: “We need to develop the coal in Enugu, Kogi, Benue and Nasarawa states; bitumen in Ondo and other coastal states; agriculture and tourism potentials of Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Cross River, Sokoto, Kebbi and other states.
“We must promote commerce and industry in the eastern states, Rivers, Kano, Lagos and others. This will unleash the capacity of the states to develop their resources and environment.
“On the proposed deregulation of the petroleum sector, the Middle Belt Forum calls on the Federal Government to cushion the effect on the populace by creating a special account for the savings from deregulation. Such savings should be used for designated infrastructure and welfare projects. Strict prudence and accountability must be enforced in utilising the proceeds, with Labour leaders, representatives of the civil society groups and other stakeholders involved in monitoring the use of the funds.
“The Forum lauded the Federal Government on its ‘largely successful amnesty programme’ in the Niger Delta region. However, we believe that government must go beyond palliative measures as we need to address the fundamental issues that precipitated the crises. The Middle Belt Forum believes that the Federal Republic of Nigeria must practice true federalism, and every federating unit must be allowed to control its resources while paying any agreed percentage as tax to the federal government. Resources control by the federating units is a fundamental requisite for true federalism.”
The Forum challenged the Federal Government to pursue with more vigour its seven-point agenda, removing every obstacle to ensure the achievements of its set targets and date lines especially in the power sector.
It added: “It is not enough to announce the award of multi-billion naira contracts on public infrastructure especially in the transport and power sectors. We need to see increased construction and developmental activities, which will create jobs for the youths. We also need to have more concrete results to justify the large sums of money being expended.
“We call on both the federal and state governments to declare a state of emergency on graduate unemployment. All unemployed graduates should be registered with the Ministry of Labour and Productivity. Concerted efforts should then be made in collaboration with the private sector to create jobs for these young people.”