Determined to promote the transportation cargo via water as an alternative to road, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has awarded a contract for the supply and installation of a 64-ton mobile harbour crane at the Lokoja River Port.
In a statement signed by Tayo Fadile, general manager, Public Affairs of NIWA, the managing director of NIWA, Olorunnimbe Mamora, at the contract signing ceremony on Wednesday in Lokoja, said that the project was in line with government determination to enhance water transportation.
Mamora said that the contract was awarded early enough to ensure the commencement of business activities at the port by next year.
According to him, the construction works at the port, which will be fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, has reached 75 percent completion.
Mamora further disclosed that the contract, which was awarded at a cost of N1, 600,344,000 to Messrs LIEBHERR Nigeria Ltd, would be executed within one year.
“When completed, the port and others already completed and nearing completion including Baro, Onitsha and Oguta would enhance inland water transportation of passengers and goods, and create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians,” Mamora said.
He said that the choice of the contractors was informed by the track record, which the contract has.
Also speaking at the occasion, Hermann Wohuhes, managing director of LIEBHERR Nigeria Ltd., thanked NIWA for the confidence reposed in the firm.
He promised to deliver the job strictly in line and within the terms of the contract.
The port is located at Jamata area of Lokoja.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
