By Enyim Enyim
The Importers Association of Nigeria in Anambra State has called on the federal government to expedite action on the on going rehabilitation work at Onitsha River Port complex.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Chief Gilbert Obi, made the call yesterday in Onitsha while speaking to reporters shortly after inspecting  job at the site.

He said when  completed, the port would lessen the load and movement of heavy trucks from Onitsha-Lagos federal highway, adding that the dredging of River Niger would also popularise the usage of waterways transport, as obtained in other countries.

“I have to thank the federal government for coming up with the idea of developing the port, despite the fact that President Shehu Shagari’s administration started the port but was abandoned 20 years ago by successive governments.

“Now that the government is back on site, with Inter Bua Construction Company doing the rehabilitation work, they are doing a lot.

“But they need to step-up the tempo of the rehabilitation so that we begin to enjoy the wharf and the facilities there,” he said.

He noted that work on the ongoing rehabilitation of the port would be completed within the next four months, if the contractor stepped up efforts on the project.

He said the port would save importers and traders in the South-East, South-South and North Central zones losses resulting from the delay associated with land transport.