By Godwin Oritse

THREE years after the Onitsha River port was commissioned, Anambra State Shippers Association has protested the unutilised facility which has remained under lock.

The group has, however, suggested that the Federal Government should gazette Onitsha River Port as port of final destination for goods coming into the country, with a view to making it viable for business.

The President of the association, Mr. Emma Akpaka, told newsmen about the negative effect of locking up the port, despite the deployment of modern equipment.

“Onitsha River port should be gazetted as port of final destination for cargoes and containers coming from any part of the world,” Akpaka said.

He explained that when Onitsha port became fully operational, it would ease congestion at Onne port in Rivers State

He noted that millions of Naira and job opportunities were being lost to the unutilised Onitsha River port as some local government areas in both Anambra and Delta states would have benefitted had the port been functioning.

“A functional Onitsha River port will also assist in the development of the waterway transport system in the communities close to the River Niger,” he added.