Dredging of ‘Excravos Bar’ to commence in 30 days, Omatseye reveals

Former Director-General of NIMASA, Barr.Temisan Omatseye has revealed that the long awaited dredging of the Escravos Bar in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State will commence in the next 30 days, insisting the contract has been awarded by the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Barr. Omatseye who made the disclosure in Warri Thursday May 17 during a keynote remark at day-one of the maiden Warri Economic Summit, admonished ethnic nationalities in Delta State to grow beyond ethnic sentiment, particularly against the backdrop of the fact that “Warri doesn’t have the landed space to receive the kind of containers”, expected to come in once the Escravos Bar is dredged.

While noting that the world has a shortfall of over 2,000 Seafearers and there is the need for people of the Niger Delta to take advantage in terms of human resource capacity building, the ex-NIMASA Boss revealed that a major investment by the NNPC is coming up in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area soonest.

He identified insecurity as an issue militating against investments in the area and enjoined youths int the Niger Delta to shun sea piracy, just as he tasked other local government councils in Delta State to collaborate with the Hon. Michael Tidi led administration in the pursuit to attract investors to the State.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa expressed excitement at the level of participation of stakeholders at the summit and stressed that his administration does not play politics with business.

While canvassing for partnership among local government councils and other stakeholders in the area, Dr. Okowa disclosed that his administration has purchased a piece of land measuring over 50 hectres for tankers’ park in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Dr. Okowa who commended the management of NPA for the planned dredging of Escravos Channel, appealed to International Oil Companies that left Warri “to return with their full complimentary operations to Warri”.

Immediate past Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, appealed to elders in the State to counsel the youths against acts capable of discouraging investors.

From left: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Michael Tidi, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Kingsley Esiso & others

Chairman of Warri South Local Government and Chief Convener of the Summit, Hon. Michael E. Tidi noted that on assumption of office, his administration birthed the thought of driving the economy of Warri with what the City still have, instead of brooding over who and what left.

Hon. Tidi noted that Warri South can now boast of technology-driven method of driving internally generated revenue, saying it has blocked revenue leakages and extortion of the governed.

According to the Warri South Council Boss, the purpose of the summit is to revive maritime trade in Warri within the next six months and identify few key sectors where Warri can be number one or two within three years.

Hon. Michael Tidi fielding questions from newsmen during the Warri Economic Summit

Fresh Angle International can report that the summit later went into professional and technical sessions, with key stakeholders proferring solution on ways of attracting investors to Warri area.

Hon.  Augustine Uroye (left) Papa Ayo Oritsejafor (2^nd left) chatting with Hon.  Michael Tidi (2^nd right) while Mr. Hope George (extreme right) & others cheer

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (right) Mrs. Stella Okotete Osadjere, Executive Director, Business Development, NEXIM Bank (behind) Hon. Michael Tidi & Barr. Emmanuel Jakpa (right)

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