“16 Ships Berth In Calabar Port every month” _Port Manager

No fewer than 16 commercial vessels of various sizes berth in Calabar Port every month.

The disclosure was made by the manager of the Port, Chief Festus Ikechi Olumati when he led a management team of NPA on a courtesy call on Prince Bassey Otu, the Cross River State governor.

The Lens recalls the inactivity of Calabar port a couple of years ago owing to controversies surrounding the dredging of the port and other administrative bottlenecks.

Olumati said his team did not relent in its aggressive marketing of the port which is now yielding results with more cargo berthing in the port facility.

He acknowledged that before now only four ships were berthing at the port in a month period which did not make it active.

“Prior to my taking over the ports, we were receiving four vessels monthly, but today, through our aggressive marketing efforts, we now receive at least 16 vessels in a month. Also, after six years, the Calabar Port has received 34,000 metric tons of vessels with a total cargo tonnage of 42 metric tons. These have translated into an increase in both revenue generation and cargo activities in the ports, thereby generating employment opportunities,” he said.

He solicited the cooperation of the state government to enable the port maintain active economic activities

Responding, Governor Otu noted: “If it is in terms of offering concessions to cargo and shipowners, we will ensure that such is granted to make the port more active.

“We are fully aware of the enormous economic potential of the port, and we will do our best to make it work to improve our economy through the generation of desired revenue for the country.”

Otu charged the management of the port to take advantage of the existing synergy between the state government, the Navy, and other security agencies to draw more traffic to the port facility.

“We are doing our best in terms of security, and I want to assure you that with the collaborative efforts of the Navy and other security agencies in the state coupled with the fact that we are positioning a vessel at the estuary, these would help check piracy and other criminal activities.

“Do not relent in your marketing drive, but ensure you meet with the Chambers of Commerce and other relevant stakeholders on the need for a renewed drive to bring life back to the port.

“We have an investment across the waterways, so we welcome any investor willing to dry dock or engage in other port development that will boost economic activities around the area,” Otu said.

The governor then appealed to the Federal Government for the speedy dredging of the port, explaining that transforming it into an active port will attract investors as well as tourists and boost revenue generation.

“It is important that the encumbrances hindering the dredging work be settled out of court for us to have a more active port,” he stressed.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Senior Reporter)