By Ben Agande
Abuja — The Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved contracts worth N8.3 billion for the construction of Inland River Ports and also dredging of rivers as part of  efforts to resuscitate the Inland waterways transport system.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said  the projects were for the construction of an Inland River Port at Jamata, Lokoja in the sum of N4.112 billion

He said the  contract which was awarded to Messrs Inter-Bau Construction Ltd, has a completion period of 57 weeks, adding that  the dredging of the channel along Orashi River from Oguta Lake in Imo State to Degema, Rivers State in the sum of N2.028 billion with a completion period of 12 months had been  awarded to Messr. Simidia S. and I. International Company Limited.

The other contract, according to the minister, is for the protection of the shore as well as  reclamation works at Aseo Moku and Patani in Delta State;  Kelebe and Okun, Kogi State; and  Ilushi, Edo State in the sum of N2.128 billion.

Maku said at completion of the projects,  the hinterland to the coastal ports would be opened and it would ease the process of evacuation of agricultural produce, petroleum products, bulk cargoes and also distribution of essential imports.

The minister, who was flanked by his counterpart in the Transport Ministry, Senator Idris Umar, noted that the projects would also increase employment and improve socio-economic development of the areas.

Speaking further on some of the projects, the minister said when completed, it would prevent the continuous erosion of community lands and destruction of property; ensure the restoration and reclamation of degraded areas and community markets, adding that they will further enhance the effectiveness of inland water transportation and promote socio-economic activities in affected communities.

He further revealed that  the project would create 282 professional and non-professional job opportunities.

Maku said the council also  took a report from the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman on the works of the various Ministries, Department and Agencies on the administration’s transformation agenda.