The Onitsha River Port in Anambra State recorded a milestone this week as it welcomed its first barge of the 2025 season, a shipment loaded with tiles from Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
Port Manager, Martins Osazuwa, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the arrival as a major win for inland waterway transport in the region.
“This is a success story other companies should emulate,” Osazuwa said, stressing that using the port could significantly cut transportation costs for businesses.
Big Potential, Bigger Challenges
Osazuwa painted a picture of what the Onitsha Port could become if fully operational, an economic powerhouse capable of generating ₦10 billion annually in its current state, and up to ₦100 billion with optimal capacity.
He said the benefits go beyond revenue: reducing pressure on Nigeria’s overstretched road network, easing congestion at Lagos ports, and driving development in the eastern corridor.
But he admitted the port is far from its full potential, citing insecurity, low patronage, and the long-delayed dredging of the River Niger as major obstacles.
Calls for Action
The port manager appealed to both federal and state authorities to step in with incentives to attract more users. He also urged the Nigerian government to fast-track dredging works to make navigation easier and safer.
According to him, the presence of militant youths and pirates along the waterways poses another significant threat, discouraging operators from routing shipments through the port.
“The government should assist us in overcoming these challenges and encourage stakeholders to utilise the port,” Osazuwa said, adding that a thriving Onitsha Port could be the “golden egg” of the eastern region’s economy.
