YOUTH UNREST: Union Seeks FG Intervention To Dredge Warri, Calabar Seaports 

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has again called on the federal government to dredge the eastern seaports for optimal viability  and job placement in tackling youths unrest in the region.

 

President of the branch ,Comrade Ifeanyi Mazeli made the plea recently, during a chat with newsmen in Lagos.

 

Mazeli noted that the two seaports in Delta state and that of Calabar , Cross River State respectively , have the capacity to create millions of direct and indirect jobs for people  from the region.

 

According to him, youth restiveness and militancy soar in region due to lack of engagement by the state and federal government but added that the maritime sector has what it takes to provide the needed employment for the teeming youths if properly harnessed.

 

The President reiterated that “Warri, Sapele and even Koko ports have what it takes to provide massive job opportunities for Nigerian. We can address issues of militancy and youths unrest in the region if the government can listen and dredge those ports.

 

 

“The maritime industry can absorb millions of jobs but the shallow draft of the ports have made vessel to call very low and its a major problem in that region.”

 

 

Speaking on the poor state of the roads, Mazeli also lamented that potential importers from the eastern part of the country are suppose to patronise Delta and Calabar seaports  due to proximity but added that the channels are not navigable for bigger ships to sail through the region .

 

He decried the longer duration of cargoes from Lagos to Aba, Onitsha and its environs adding that consignments can leave the eastern  seaports to the aforementioned region in few hours.

 

“Unlike Lagos to Aba or Onitsha where the truck and cargo can spend close to two or four days before getting to the owners warehouse ; consignments from the Warri or Calabar seaports can take three or four hours to deliver “, he added.

 

 

 

 

By Roland Ekama