By Olubunmi ISOKPEHI, Lagos
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) have urged the federal government to relocate the mega dry dock from Lagos waters to the Niger Delta region.
This information was disclosed at a special webinar meeting organized in Lagos to mark the 93rd birthday of the PANDEF leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
The meeting was aimed at x- raying the Niger Delta economy after the COVID -19 lockdown. However, a statement issued by Mr. Tony Uranta, the UNDEDSS Executive secretary and General Secretary of PANDEF, has said, ” The benefits of the dock to the region would be immeasurable considering the maritime university in Delta.”
The statement reads in Part: ” Relocating the Dry Dock Projects to the Niger Delta will be the biggest investment in the Niger Delta, post COVID -19 and will open up the economy of the region.”
Recall that the house of Representative had in March urged the federal government and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to return the floating dock ,acquired at a cost of over #5Billion to Okerenkoko Delta.
In view of the above, the house had called for the installation of the floating dock at Okerenkoko, the location that was said to have been of the maritime facility.
Thus, the house had urged NIMASA to abide by all the terms and conditions precedent to the acquisition of the dock with a view to ensuring that it was put into operations in Okerenkoko.
The statement continued: ” The Project was duly considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council at its 37th meeting on October 23rd 2013.”
Adding, ” The location of the dry dock to Badagry in Lagos state is contrary to the initial approval by the Federal Government for its location in Delta.”
It asserted: ” Our appeal s that the dry dock be moved permanently ,installed and inaugurated in Delta, considering the contributions of the region to the nations economy.”
” The dry dock is lying fallow in the waters of Lagos state and should be taken to Delta ,next to the maritime university,to provide practical knowledge to the students.”
It posited: ” The dock, if located in the Niger Delta ,will open up the region and make it move viable including the employment it will generate and the training on ship building processes.”
