Port Manager, festus tasks FG to expedite action in the dredging of Calabar port

By Ene Ene, Calabar

The manager of Calabar port, Mr. Olumati festus has called on the Federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite action in the dredging of Calabar Sea Port, to attract bigger Vessels to the port.

Festus made this known while addressing Ad-hoc Committee members, Ports and harbour, house of representatives who came to Calabar to investigate the situation at the port, which took place at the Calabar port Complex.

“The most critical limitation facing Calabar Port is the current shallow draft which is as low as 5.2 metres at low tide and 6.2metres at high tide”.Advocating dredging to accommodate bigger vessels.

The port manager, Festus also advocated for the reconstruction of port access road from Calabar to Uyo and connectivity to the national rail link.

He decried the deplorable state of access road leading to Calabar Port, which he alleged is impeding the full potentials of the port, and called for urgent attention, so that the port can witnessed a turnaround.

“In the past 25 years we have never received any bigger vessels here, we use techniques to bring in vessels once the tide is high, any attempt to bring in vessels when the tide is low, it goes around”. He stated.

He called on the federal government to equally ensure urgent construction of finger Jetty for dry docking of vessels, the port manager also appealed for provision of security boats of the channel in order to secure the water channel, while stressing on the need to allow certain items berth at the port

In a swift reaction, the chairman House committee on ports and harbour, Nnolim Nnaji assured that his committee is currently discussing with Senate committee on marine transport for something to be done about dredging the Calabar Port.

“We may increase the budget for dredging or do something else about it.
Dredging of Calabar Port stopped due to issues that contractor had with Port authority and they went to court. But that matter was taken out and settled out of court. Dredging of Calabar Port is in the budget”. Nnolim assured.