Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has urged Benue and Niger rivers coastal communities to cooperate as Nautical survey commences from Lokoja to Burutu, assuring that over 2 million youths will secure employment if the dredging of the river Niger is completed.
In his speech at the commencement of hydrographic survey and charting of the Lower Rivers Niger and Benue from Lokoja to Burutu, the Governor lauded the initiative by the Private Public Partnership of Nigeria Export-import Bank Plc in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
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The Governor asserted that Rivers Niger and Benue have remained the most critical natural assets that held good prospects for economic diversification in Nigeria, assuring that at the end of the survey and charting project several abandoned inland and river ports along the coast would be reactivated.
Governor Bello explained that the Federal Government has, under the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (PEDI), introduced several policies and programmes aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy as well as improving the welfare, security and prosperity of Nigerian citizens.
The Governor attested that the project would similarly facilitate the handling of bulk imports from the coastal areas and the export of solid minerals and agricultural produce from the hinterland, noting that nautical charts and other publications to be produced from the survey would support maritime security agencies.
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He said the outcome of the survey will aid to mobilise resources at critical places and time of choice for the attainment of set national security objectives.
The Kogi Governor therefore urged various stakeholders to seize the golden and historic opportunity to work harmoniously and assiduously towards the completion of the important national survey within the shortest possible time.
Bello who also admonished states that are contiguous to the Lower Rivers Niger and Benue to give their full support and cooperation to the historic and important Federal Government effort towards improving the lives of citizens, assured local communities that the opening of the Rivers would not distort their ancestral beliefs, cultures and traditions.
He appealed to the communities to give their maximum support and cooperation as the project is a golden opportunity to eradicate poverty as well as improve their welfare and prosperity.
