Rivers set to develop marine transport

Rivers State says it is set to develop its marine transport system in a state that is typically littoral, but lacking standard water transport system to reach the hundreds of creeks that littler the state.

Governor Nyesom Wike, while touring the massively rundown Bille Jetty on the Borikiri Creek area, assured those living in the riverine areas of the state that his administration would develop marine transport to enhance the economy of the areas.

Although pockets of water routes abound in the state, virtually all of them are operated by private commercial canoes and speed boats that hardly observe safety standards. Some of the water transport routes from Port Harcourt, the state capital, to the hinterland riverine communities include: Port Harcourt – Bonny water route, Marine Base – Okrika, Opobo/Nkoro, Port Harcourt – Mgbuodohia, among many others.

The water transport development effort would commence with rebuilding rundown jetties in the state. The governor has thus announced the immediate commencement of reconstruction of the Bille Jetty in Borikiri area of Port Harcourt for conveyance of goods by ferries to the riverine communities.

 Addressing traders at the Creek Road Market in Borikiri, a market that dates back to the colonial era, where the Bille Jetty was used to ferry goods and people out of Port Harcourt, Governor Wike directed a total upgrade of the Jetty, reconstruction of all the facilities around the Jetty, and enhancement of safety standards of the Jetty.

He also directed the immediate reconstruction of the road leading to the Jetty, to ensure that trucks bringing goods to the Jetty have access to the age-old water transport facility.

Wike, who was particularly unhappy with rundown nature of the Jetty directed for complete reconstruction of the facility.

“I am not happy with the condition of this important Jetty. We will reconstruct the Jetty, and uplift the standards to enhance safe marine transport. We will also reconstruct the road leading to the Jetty, so that trucks and passengers can have access to the facility,” the governor said.