Exclusive: NPA to seal trailer park, Warri over N16million owed by Concessionaire

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, will seal the trailer park at its Delta Ports, Warri, in a few days from today, Tuesday July 19, if the Concessionaire (A company allegedly owned by a very prominent indigene of Warri Federal Constituency and former lawmaker) fails to defray N16million purportedly owed NPA for three years, Fresh Angle International can exclusively report.

The Port Manager, Nigerian Ports Authority, Delta Ports, Warri, Mr. Nelson Uwaifo Ovbude, dropped the hint today, Tuesday July 19, when he played host to the leadership of Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria, ACWCN, Delta State Chapter, who paid him a collaborative visit.

 Video Clip of Highlights of the Collaborative Visit

Mr. Nelson Ovbude, who disclosed that he recently sealed some companies owing NPA at Delta Ports, Warri and the companies commenced payment the following day, said youth restiveness is affecting operations of the ports in the East.

While appealing to youths in Warri area to make sure they get the best of whatever positive thing they want to do, Mr. Ovbude, revealed: “Burutu (Port) is more massive than Koko (Port). When I visited Burutu (Port) recently, I discovered it has been neglected, even though it was concession to an Ijaw man. Look inward, ask yourselves, how do we address youth restiveness and impunity amongst some of our people. I will make a formal report on the Burutu Port. We are also addressing the issue of an abandoned jetty in Koko Port. I recently sealed some companies owing us (NPA) and they started paying the next day. Perceived lack of safety, is an issue discouraging patronage of our ports here. We are trying to introduce palliatives, that would attract patronage to Delta Ports.

“I am excited to be back here, because I once worked at Delta Ports, Warri and stayed at Ekurede Itsekiri. Each port, has its dynamic nature. I want to appeal to our youths. The future belongs to the youths, so they need to decide on what to make of it. We should make sure we get the best of whatever we want to do.

Mr. Nelson Ovbude (middle) & some leaders of ACWCN

“We are here to collaborate. We have been dealing with the youths and various communities. We know our limitations when it comes to some of your requests, because we are carrying out the mandate of our headquarters. Be rest assured, that we won't disappoint you on Corporate Social Responsibilities, CSR”.

Earlier in an address, the Delta State Chairman of Association of Coastal and Waterways Communities of Nigeria, ACWCN, Engr. (Dcn.) Tuoyo Woligho, reiterated: “The idea for a platform or an Association for the Coastal and Waterways Communities in Nigeria, was conceived in the year 2019, by some credible and passionate indigenes of the area, who felt the pains of long-time exploitation, degradation and total neglect of these areas by successive governments and their agencies and corporate organizations, operating in this area.

“The sole purpose for this initiative is to Represent, Protect and Defend the interest of the community, also to promote sustainable peace, clean environment and improve condition of living in the Coastal and Waterways Communities in Nigeria, through peaceful dialogue and consultation with relevant authorities.

“Our activities are down to the grassroots, through balanced community representation.

“We want to use this medium and privilege given to us, to formally appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her agencies like the Ministry of Transport, NPA, NIMASA, NNPC, NIWA and others, for the ongoing plans to dredge the Warri River from the Escravos Bay, down to Burutu, Warri, Koko and Sapele Ports. We commend and give our total support to Government on this laudable step, we also request that the EPZ Project at Ogidigben, Escravos (Ugborodo) be included in the next Federal Government Budget, for full scale execution. All these, if in place, will restore social and economic activities back to the coastal and waterways communities in Nigeria and Delta State in particular”.

Engr. Woligho, added: “We want to solicit your support and request for your consideration in the following areas in your establishment:

1. To be in good working relationship with your establishment

2. To assist in dredging our creeks, water channels, rivers and coastal waterways

3. To assist in providing speedboats for water transportation for the ease of the local dwellers

4. To assist in clearing water hyacinth taking over our creeks, water channels, rivers, coastal and waterways.

 5. To consider us in your programmes (Corporate Social Responsibilities) to your host eg. seminars, symposiums, scholarships, training, skill acquisition etc.

6. Employment in all categories of workers and Contracts”.

The National President of ACWCN, Comrade Nicholas Bawo Ighomi, who spoke briefly, appealed to Mr. Nelson Uwaifo Ovbude, “to carry impacted communities in the area along in terms of CSR, the way NPA has been doing to host communities”.

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