Onitsha seaport in Anambra State which was non-functional for over four decades has reportedly been commissioned on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
This was made known by a presidential aide, Tolu Ogunlesi, who shared series of videos and photos from the port scene showing containers being offloaded.
He wrote: “So someone just pointed out to me that on the Maersk website, Onitsha is now available as a port of final destination. A vessel departing Shanghai Oct 10 (this Sat) has Onitsha listed as terminal port (arrival Dec 2, 2020).”
https://twitter.com/toluogunlesi/status/1313596023256870919?s=20
Ogunlesi added: “Let me summarize it. Maersk is now (starting 2020) sending container ships direct from China to the Onne Port, without the need to first call at Lagos.
“Now, when the ship berths in Onne, it will be offloaded and the containers going to Onitsha Port will be barged down.”
https://twitter.com/toluogunlesi/status/1313603155511455745?s=20
The Onitsha sea port had been abandoned for 42 years and Nigerians took to Twitter to rejoice after it was commissioned. Below are Twitter reactions, photos and video.
https://twitter.com/ipannigeria/status/1313569513011580935?s=20
https://twitter.com/bengbenro/status/1313598237992013826?s=20
https://twitter.com/JohnFanimokun/status/1313720859513815040?s=20
https://twitter.com/OvieAli/status/1313770093910913025?s=20
https://twitter.com/Okoliemeka7/status/1313733793262514176?s=20
https://twitter.com/Champele/status/1313587129348390913?s=20
https://twitter.com/DrJoeAbah/status/1313736351511187457?s=20
https://twitter.com/DrJoeAbah/status/1313724397610467328?s=20
https://twitter.com/OMOIYAWAEC77/status/1313695023934906369?s=20
1. Just to put things in its proper perspective, Buhari cannot commission an already commissioned project.
While I commend Buhari for the utilization of the Onitsha Clarion Terminal river port, the project was built & commissioned by Julius Berger under Jonathan, pic.twitter.com/K2jFW9ATcP
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) October 7, 2020
Onne Port is working o!
Now you can ship directly to Onitsha too.
I hope those blaming Lagos for their underdevelopment can start searching for new excuses.
Next thing you'll hear is "give us Lagos beaches and watch us transform to Dubai."
We move.
We will be fine, Nigeria🇳🇬💕 pic.twitter.com/NdaPpK9OrA
— Joe-Segun (@JoeJoeSegun) October 7, 2020
KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had announced successful berthing of the biggest container vessel to ever call at any Nigerian port.