PEAKERS of the
South East Zone states rose from a meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital,
recently, with among other critical resolutions, a call on the Federal
Government to dredge the River Niger.
By their call, the speakers were only reopening an issue
which has lingered on since the 1960s when the country’s then Prime Minister,
Alhaji Tafawa Balewa mooted the idea.
Then as now, the major motivation for the call has been the
need to boost inland water transportation and enhance economic activities
especially in the fishing, tourism, industrial and agricultural sectors.
Over the years, successive governments have made efforts to
effect the dredging of the Niger but most times, these efforts have been
frustrated, especially by considerations that are more political than in the
overall interest of the country.
Indeed, thus far, billions of Naira have been sunk into the
project, which is expected to open up the country’s hinterland to vessels
capable of moving bulk cargo from the ocean deep into the country and vice
versa, with little show for such investment.
The defunct Petroleum (Special) Tax Fund (PTF) made the most
spirited effort but was resisted, to the point of being dragged to court by
those who were opposed to the project on account of, among others, environmental
considerations.
From all indications, the administration of President
Olusegun Obasanjo has not considered the project a priority. This should not be
so given the fact that it should form a critical part of the programme of
restructuring of the national economy.
So far, road, rail and air transportation have proved grossly
incapable of driving the economy. The roads and railways system are not only
derelict but would, even if they were all rehabilitated still be insufficient
for movement of people and goods, especially between the coastal cities and the
hinterland.
If, however, the Niger River is dredged and sea
transportation is developed and properly harnessed, heavy duty cargo that have
contributed significantly towards the destruction of the nation’s highways would
find alternative and better means of movement. This would be even more critical
if and when the country’s steel plants begin to function as they should.
Part of the projection is also the construction of inland
ports at such locations as Onitsha, Lokoja, Idah and Baro along the course of
the River Niger. Once these become operational, the benefits, in terms of
decongesting the existing coastal ports, creating job opportunities in those
locations and thereby minimising rural to urban migration, evacuation of
agricultural products and generally, development of the infrastructures and
economies of these areas, would be tremendous.
Indeed, the vast majority of the peoples of the South South,
South East and North Central zones have been locked out of the economy of the
country due to lack of access to cheap means of transportation, such as that
offered by the sea. The abundant agricultural products of these areas are
allowed to waste in the hinterlands or to rot on the roads that provide only a
night-marish alternative.
Besides, there is the danger that the great River Niger, if
left undredged, may in the near future, begin to silt up. This would lead to
loss of all aquatic life. It will also deprive the people of the luxury of an
all-year-round navigable river, which dredging would guarantee.
Indeed, there are overwhelming reasons why the River Niger
should be dredged.
But compelling as this is, there is also need to take into
consideration the fears of opponents of the project, especially those who are
worried that its adverse consequences on the environment may be enormous.
Their worry about the effect of the project on farmlands,
aquatic life, the ecosystem and the possibility of blocking adjourning creeks
are genuine fears that can only be allayed by a comprehensive and credible
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
Efforts had in the past been made towards conducting such a
survey and government should revisit the draft of the EIA report with a view to
determining whether it was comprehensive and credible enough to serve as basis
for a decision on the question of dredging of the Niger River.
If the present draft report is found to be defective in any
way, a more credible and comprehensive report should be commissioned alongside a
public enlightenment campaign that would educate those that inhabit the areas
bordering the river on the many advantages of dredging the river.
Once the report is certified as accurate and any issues
raised by it addressed, government should muster the political will and rise
beyond all less than nationalistic considerations to get the job done.
The speakers must be commended by bringing the issue back to the front burner
and should not relent in pressing for its actualization, alongside the governors
of the area and all other Nigerians who have the interest of the nation at
heart.
