Anambra Assembly Advocates Partnership to Resuscitate Abandoned Seaport

The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on the state government to foster a partnership between the federal and state government and organised private sector, on the possible means of resuscitating the abandoned Oseakwa seaport and the dredging of the Ulasi river at the Ihiala local government area of the state, in line with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly.

 

The 8th assembly members urged Governor Soludo to set up a high-powered committee to assess the present condition of Oseakwa Seaport.

The House resolution was a sequel to a motion moved by the member representing Ihiala II, Mr Ebuka Golden Iloh and was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Pius Okoye representing Awka South II.

 

The Speaker, Mr Somotochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary session, had moved for resolution of the House while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes.

 

Mr Iloh said that there is a need to diversify the national and sub-national economies with the attendant dwindling revenue occasioned by frequent external and internal economic shocks which made it possible for States to seek avenues to increase their revenue base in order to meet the ever-increasing developmental needs of the people.

 

“The lower Chamber of the National Assembly passed a resolution as sponsored by the representative of Ihiala federal constituency, Pascal Agbodike on a similar subject matter, bringing it to the front burner in the national discussion, highlighting the importance of the aforementioned seaport to Anambra State in particular and South Eastern Nigeria in general.

 

“The maritime sector offers the state government a pathway to a sustainable revenue opportunity with enormous opportunities in the maritime value chain to diversify our economy by leveraging on partnership with the federal government and the organized private sector.

 

“Oseakwa seaport at Ihiala local government area of Anambra State which is only 18th nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean was established before Nigeria’s Independence as a major route for imports and exports of goods and as a source of revenue to the old Eastern region, but was abandoned after the civil war and has since become moribund.

 

“I am convinced that timely intervention and engagement of the federal government and the organised private sector by Anambra State Government will accelerate the process of reviving the abandoned Oseakwa seaport which in turn catalyse the injection of over two million direct and indirect jobs for the indigenes as the multiplier effect.

 

“It will heavily support our government home calling of strategic stakeholders to actualise the prosperous and liveable homeland where the oil and gas, maritime business, tourism, agro-food industry and real estate sectors will boost the economic base of the Anambra State and beyond,” Iloh said.

 

Supporting the motion, the member representing Anaocha II, Mr Ejike Okechukwu noted that the motion is well crafted, urging the State Government to liaise with the Federal Government to do the needful for the advancement of the State.

 

Mr Okechukwu further explained that the Oseakwa Seaport if revived will assist our people who are predominantly businessmen and entrepreneurs rooted in commerce, buying, selling and importation.

 

Mr Noble Igwe, Ogbaru I, while supporting the motion confirmed that the aforementioned seaport would reduce the cost and risk of transporting goods down to the East.

 

“Looking at the economic aspect of the seaport, Anambra will benefit from it. Our people are major importers and necessary to involve private partnerships with those who are willing to invest,” Igwe stated.

 

Also, the member representing Idemili North, Mr Kingsley Udemezue, observed that the seaport when revived will create job opportunities and economic transformation, bringing about an increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State.

 

“This one step would bring people together to achieve the liveable and prosperous homeland we are advocating for,” Udemezue said.

 

Furthermore, the Majority Leader, Mr Ikenna Ofodeme, Ekwusigo said, “Our importers are lamenting about the high cost of clearing goods and transporting goods from Lagos to South East, it is very risky considering the bad roads we have.

 

“If the seaport is revived, Anambra State would become the biggest commercial hub in West Africa. So many agencies like customs, police, marshals, and port authorities will partner with us, that in turn will create job opportunities for Ndi Anambra”, Ofodeme said.

 

The member representing Onitsha South II, Mr Jude Umennajiego noted that the motion is a way of bringing South-East and Anambra State to the front line in the economic geo-politics of Nigeria.

 

“Every part of Nigeria is interested in having one economic advantage or the other. One of the greatest catalysts is access to the sea. Not only importers will benefit but economists and maritime lawyers would also benefit from the seaport,” Umennajiego said.

 

Also, the member representing Aguata II, Mr Anthony Muobike said that the motion centered on increasing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state and the nation in general.

 

“It is necessary that we lobby the relevant agencies at the federal government level to resuscitate the Oseakwa seaport,” he said.

 

In his submission, the member representing Njikoka I, Mr Chidiebele Ibemeka stated the Oseakwa seaport will set up opportunities for Anambra State to key into sustainable millennium development goals which the State government has been trying to meet up with.

 

“I want to let you know that a seaport is one of the very most important fundamental opportunities to move goods and services to the right destination.

 

“When such seaport is revived, it would increase productivity, improve the lives of people and reduce the cost of living in the State,” he concluded.

 

Ten other members also spoke in support of the motion.

 

Dominica Nwabufo