Dozens of new river transport infrastructure projects for Nigeria

15 October 2009

A total of 32 water transport infrastructure projects have been given the initial go-ahead by the Nigerian government.

The 11 river ports set for construction will be located in areas such as Numan in Adamawa State and Onitsha in Anambra State, the Vanguard news service relayed.

In addition, 21 jetties will be built across the nation at sites including Asaba, Yauri and Shinkatu, aimed at boosting regional economic activity.

The online resource added that the government took steps to begin the development of this infrastructure after it was decided that the long-discussed effort to dredge the River Niger would commence.

A channel spanning 572 kilometres between Baro and Warri, with the capacity to ensure year-round navigation, is the objective of the dredging project, architect and managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority Ahmed Aminu Yar'Adua told attendees at the ninth national council transport meeting.

News of the water transport developments follows a blueprint recently published by the country's National Planning Commission, which proposed a path to a more stable and technologically capable economy.

Category: Transport