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07/17/2004:

"A Snapshot: Niger Delta the largest untapped oil reserve on the planet"

by Victor Ahiuma-Young Vanguard (Lagos)
Nigerian Ports Will Be Shut Down July 29 If... Comrade Irabor

MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has vowed that come July 29, the entire maritime industry in Nigeria will be shut down should government fail to positively address any of the issues both the union and its Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Senior Staff counterpart raised in the ultimatum handed down to government last week.

President-General of MWUN, Comrade Onikoalese Irabor told Vanguard that the workers never wanted the situation to degenerate into this level, but for the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) which decided to do things its own way irrespective of feelings and contribution of other stakeholders.

Comrade Irabor did not hid his anger when he asked: "Can you imagine a government that is talking about creating seven million jobs through NEEDS also planning to sack 75 per cent of the workers (about 9,750 out of 13,000) in the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) through the World Bank financed ports reform programme? We are not a party to that. It is not only that.

The NPA, going by the reforms agenda, would be scrapped and in its place, there would be Lagos Ports, Warri Ports, Calabar Ports and stuffs like that". According to him, all activities in the nation's ports would be paralysed should the authorities fail to address the concerns of the workers in the sector in the planned ports concessioning programme scheduled to commence in September.full article

by Willy Eya Daily Champion(Lagos)
Delta Crisis Cripples Warri Port

DESPITE efforts to reform the nation's maritime sector, not much seems to have been achieved in ports within the Niger Delta region of the country.

This is because of the unending youth restiveness in the area formerly reputed to be a beehive of maritime activities.

In the region, the most affected is the Warri Port located within the battle fronts of the warring communities - Ijaw, Itsekri and Urhobo.

Business Champion reports that most cottage industries within the area have either relocated to Port Harcourt or closed shop for lack of business.

Reacting on the situation, Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services of the Nigerian Port Harcourt (NPA), Mr. Desmond Akawor called on traditional rulers and community leaders in the Delta region to help government realise potentials of the Delta port.

He stressed the need for them to prevail on restive youths so that the ports would be fully utilised for the benefit of its catchment area.full article