The Nigerian Village Square - Dredging Of The Niger: Containing The Antagonists

Dredging Of The Niger: Containing The Antagonists

Written by Ossie Ezeaku

Sunday, 18 November 2007

As most would already know, the great River Niger rises through the Guinean highlands of the Futa Jallon. To this, more than 22 African tribes, spread over five nations rely on it for transportation, food, water and irrigation. In Nigeria, It traverses through the land of the Nupe, Gwari, Igala, Igbo, Ijaw, Urhobo, Ebira etc. Geo-politically, It falls within the North central, South-South and South East zones.

At Onitsha, the river denotes yet its broadest features, with a 1.7 kilometer bridge linking the towns of Asaba on the west bank and Onitsha on the East. And from that point, it continues a 150km journey into the Gulf of Guinea--Atlantic Ocean.

With the increasing demands for cheap transportation today, focus has come on this great River. Projects are currently underway to improve its navigable system.The provision of adequate river ports and places for the handling of freight are also underway. An Idea that would in turn, curb rural--urban migration by creating jobs in the respective regions. The designated port locations of Baro, Lokoja, Onitsha, Oguta, Degema etc., will no doubt have additional lease of life.

But how all these can happen in shallow waters remains to be seen. The river must be dredged to allow the designated Boats; small and medium-sized vessels have a smooth sail on it. But the antagonists of this wisdom are hell bent on their convictions.

Citing various excuses since the idea was muted, Ijaw groups have consistently stood in the way of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and other tribes whom the Niger washes their shores as well, in peacefully pursuing this noble objective.

In anticipation of the dredging of the river which is billed to commence before the end of the year, the Ijaw Monitoring Group led by Joseph Eva, have released a statement daring the Federal government to that effect. In a recent interview granted to the Sun Newspapers, he says, "they want to open our creeks and our river so that the Atlantic Ocean will now have access through our river to the inland port. Burutu Port is there; Sapele Port is there; Koko Port is there. If all the ports in the Niger Delta are not working, we will not allow any port in any other part of the country." These are very strong words.

But contrary to the views of Mr. Eva, The Niger would not under-go a form of channelization. It flows unfettered into the Atlantic Ocean. Dredging is only what is needed for ocean-going vessels to access the respective Communities. The designated port cities have natural access to the sea.

When Mr. Eva says, "our river", It smacks of ignorance and bigotry. The river is not the exclusive heritage of a particular ethnic group. The Niger falls into what can be described as an Inter-state water way. Other groups whose shores are washed by the Niger have equally a stake on the river. And It goes with the right to demand and have a port built for them irrespective of whether there are skeletal operations in some other ports. Nigeria has multiple International Airports, but not all of them are in the same scale of operation, yet Abuja Airport was constructed to serve the needs of the people in that region.

Much as every right thinking Nigerian sympathizes with the Niger deltans, the issue of opening up the inland water transportation, and the construction of ports should be divorced from the Niger delta politics. Poverty and the hunger for infrastructure does not exist only in the Delta, It is prevalent in other parts of the nation as well. A group's aspiration can be pursued without hindrance to other groups'.

How would the youths from the North feel knowing that a fellow Nigerian ethnic group is blocking the dream that will create jobs in a Baro or Lokoja port? Same with the Easterners who have long cherished to have these facilities, including an International airport. Something which was only approved a few days ago. So the Ijaw have to be careful as not to look selfish in the eyes of other groups.

Nigeria's President, Umaru Yar'Adua has shown that he is keen in opening the Eastern and Northern maritime corridors. Business men from these areas would not have to travel long distances to fetch their ordered wares, as the new maritime route would also compliment the hitherto inaccessible markets.

Thus, in the face of the current threats and challenges facing the up coming dredging of the Niger, the federal government must not be taken unawares. It is necessary that a heavy and overwhelming military protection be given to the dredging crew so as to make sure that the exercise is free of intimidation from any quarter.

Consequently, the importance of the project and the threats there-upon, would better call for a law making it an economic sabotage for any one caught with an intent to hinder the smooth operation of the project.

Email: Ezeaku50@yahoo.com

Robot Robot is offline
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	# 1 As most would already know, thegreat RiverNigerrises throu...Read the full article. Posted by Robot\| 18.11.2007 14:54

Odinaka Odinaka is offline
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	# 2 In anticipation of the dredging of the river which is billed to commence before the end of the year, the Ijaw, led by Joseph Eva, have released a statement daring the Federal government to that effect Wisdom knows where the limit lies, where the boundary should be drawn. Life is all about improvement, meaningful life I mean. You don't set out to correct someone by making another error. The dredging of the River Niger to make way for inland ports is a good thing, I stand for it but I also insist that an environmental impact assesment studies be undertaken and the fears of people who might be adversely affected looked into . The stand of Joseph Eva (I take it that you got him right) isn't right, but you will do well to criticise him and leave Ijaws out of it, until it becomes clear he's is working with the mandate of the majority of the Ijaw people. Cheers Posted by Odinaka\| 18.11.2007 18:08

Obi Obi is offline
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	# 3 Mr Odinaka, E.I.A is not new in the pursuit of the River Niger dredging by the Federal government of Nigeria. I read the interview of Mr. Evah, who represents the Ijaw Monitoring Group. (IMG). His reluctance to anchor his arguments on an E.I.A , may have been informed by the fact the E.I.A report of the dredging of the Niger was positive. The procedural principles in a democracy such as ours of today, may not tempt a president in the like of Yar' Adua to order his Transport minister, Diehzani Alllison-Madueke, an Ijaw for that matter, to hide a negative E.I.A report. =Odinaka;2091821268>In anticipation of the dredging of the river which is billed to commence before the end of the year, the Ijaw, led by Joseph Eva, have released a statement daring the Federal government to that effect Wisdom knows where the limit lies, where the boundary should be drawn. Life is all about improvement, meaningful life I mean. You don't set out to correct someone by making another error. The dredging of the River Niger to make way for inland ports is a good thing, I stand for it but I also insist that an environmental impact assesment studies be undertaken and the fears of people who might be adversely affected looked into . The stand of Joseph Eva (I take it that you got him right) isn't right, but you will do well to criticise him and leave Ijaws out of it, until it becomes clear he's is working with the mandate of the majority of the Ijaw people. Cheers Posted by Obi\| 18.11.2007 22:57

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