Excitement surged at the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State as it welcomed its first barge of 2025, a development hailed as a major boost for inland waterway transportation in the region. The barge, which arrived earlier this week, was loaded with tiles from a manufacturing company in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. Port Manager, Martins Osazuwa, described the arrival as a success, urging other businesses to follow suit in utilizing the port to reduce transportation costs and ease pressure on Nigeria’s overloaded road network.
Osazuwa shared that, if fully operational, the port could generate an estimated ₦10 billion annually, with potential for that figure to grow to ₦100 billion in the future. He referred to the port as the “golden egg” of the eastern region, emphasizing that increasing its usage could significantly save costs, decongest Lagos and other major seaports, and improve trade efficiency nationwide.
However, despite its potential, the Onitsha River Port continues to face significant challenges. These include insecurity, low usage, and delays in dredging the River Niger. The Port Manager appealed to both federal and state governments for incentives to attract more users, expedite dredging for smoother navigation, and address security concerns posed by militant youths and pirates disrupting operations.
The Onitsha River Port was initially constructed in 1983 during President Shehu Shagari’s administration but remained largely dormant for years. It was rehabilitated and commissioned in 2012 under President Goodluck Jonathan, fell into disuse again, and was reopened in 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Since then, operations have been seasonal, with activity peaking during the rainy season when the River Niger’s water levels support vessel navigation. The arrival of the latest barge has sparked renewed optimism about the port’s future and its potential to significantly contribute to regional commerce.
