By James Shim
The Makurdi River Port has been mapped for development among the next phase of river ports to be developed across the country.
Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr Emmanuel Jime disclosed this during a recent one-day seminar organized by the council at Benue Hotels, Makurdi, Benue State.
The ES also disclosed that part of his visit was to reopen the Nigerian Shippers Council Area Office in Makurdi.
Barr Jime said the development of the port is a duty that is owed, adding that he has never strayed from his commitment to public life.
According to him, it was in the same pursuit that he had facilitated the reopening of the Nigerian Shippers Council Area office in Makurdi as part of his commitment and the promise that he made do as to open up opportunities that the Benue community may not have known.
“Through the opportunity of office I am now announcing that I will open up those opportunities so that the Benue community will know.
“I am concerned about my place in history, I am concerned about the legacies I will leave behind, I am concerned that when I have passed let it be remembered that there was one of you, who showed concern for the development of his people.
“By the grace of God, the next phase of mapping and development of river ports in this country will include the river port in Makurdi,” Jime stated.
Jime said, the seminar with the theme: “Appropriate Packaging and Quality Assurance of Agro- allied Products as a Panacea for Increased Export in Benue State,” was apt, bearing in mind the FG’s interest in boosting non-oil export balance of trade from imports and to transform the nation to an export dependent economy.
He said the seminar was intended to among others awaken the consciousness of the people of the Food Basket State to the immense benefit and great potentials of import/export trade with special emphasis on export, taking into cognizance the abundance of exportable commodities, eg solid minerals and agro-allied products in the state.
Earlier, President, Benue Shippers Association, Levi Orbem Yakubu, represented by Aii Yenge, Trustee of the council, said the seminar was organised as part of activities to re-open the Makurdi Shipping Area office.
The president described the gesture as a blessing, adding that as a Benue indigene at the helm of the shippers council, Barr Jime will ensure that more good things flow to Benue. He said shipping and export will help grow the state economy.
In his remark, the Benue State Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Benjamin Agber, noted the commitment of the government to help grow the economy through private sector participation.
He explained that the Governor Samuel Ortom administration was willing to encourage private sector investment and has adopted various measures to achieving results, urging indigenes to take advantage of such initiatives.
The commissioner, however, warned those engaging in illegal mining and other business ventures. He maintained that the administration would not condone acts of illegality.
