The dredging of River Niger, when completed, will provide about two million direct and indirect employment to people in Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kwara states, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has said.
Bello said this at the flagged-off of hydrographic survey and charting of the Lower Rivers Niger and Benue Rivers, from Lokoja to Burutu in Kogi state.
The governor said the rivers – Niger and Benue – were critical natural assets that held good prospects for economic diversification in Nigeria.
He said various moribund inland and river ports along the coast would be reactivated after the survey and charting project, which he said was initiated by Export-import Bank in partnership with the Nigerian Navy and National Inland Waterways Authority.
Bello said the project would facilitate the handling of bulk imports from the coastal areas and the export of solid minerals and agricultural produce from the hinterland.
He said nautical charts and other publications to be produced from the survey would support maritime security agencies to mobilise resources for the attainment of set national security objectives.
The governor said the opening of the Rivers would distort the ancestral sites, cultures, and traditions of the affected communities, he urged the people of the communities to see it as “a golden opportunity” that will eradicate poverty and improve their welfare and prosperity.
He urged other affected states to give their full support and cooperation to ensure the success of the project.
