Burutu Port Resuscitation: Kofee Appreciates Gov. Okowa As Delta Govt Signs MoU With Akewa Colmer Terminal Ltd
Francis Tayor
Warri_____ The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor of Delta State on investment, Hon. Ebisine Kofee Amasuomo has expressed appreciation to his boss, His Excellency, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on the occasion of the signing of MoU between Delta state government and Akewa Colmer Terminal Ltd, towards the resuscitation of Burutu Port.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Warri, Hon. Kofee said Burutu Port is one of the oldest Ports in Nigeria established in 1887, but had been moribund for over 130 years. He noted that the economic importance of Burutu Port is enormous that when resuscitated, will create jobs for thousands of unemployed youths, boost the economy of Delta state by increasing the GDP, attracts infrastructural development to the state, Burutu main town and its neighboring villages.
The Burutu born Senior Special Assistant reiterated that Delta ljaw people will be forever grateful to Gov. Okowa for bringing back Burutu Port to functional after 130 years of abandonment.
He extends his gratitude to Chief. Kenneth Donye, the CEO Akewa Colmer Terminal Ltd for his display of candor, capacity, courage and perseverance in pursuing such investment to this point.
Finally, he thanked and appreciated the management of Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), especially the Chairman, Hon. Paul Nmah and the Director General of the agency, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru for their concerted efforts towards the development of Burutu Port, the statement adds.
However, it would be recalled that, the Delta State Government has on 22nd of October, 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private indigenous investor, Akewa Colmar Terminal Ltd for the development of the Burutu Ports in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The ceremony which took place in Asaba had the Chairman Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA), Hon. Paul Nmah and the Director-General of the Agency Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru signing on behalf of the State Government, while the Chairman, Akewa Colmar Ltd, Dr Keneth Donye signed for the company to officially commence the first step of actualizing the Burutu Ports Project.
The Chairman of the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) Hon. Paul Nmah speaking at the ceremony restated Government support for the project which is geared towards the development of the State.
According to him a project of this magnitude will ensure revenue and employment generations which are key concerns of His Excellency Dr IfeanyiOkowa and it will equally help to decongest the Lagos Ports.
“If you look at what is happening in Lagos State, the congestion of ports, you can see that having this project will take away much burden from Lagos State and also enhance the development of exports and import activities in Delta State with its attendant multiplier effects,” Nmah said.
He promised the investor of State government’s support towards the success of the project.
On his part The Director-General of the Agency, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru said that the agreement signifies the importance of the project and its impact on the economy of Delta State and Nigeria in general.
He stated further that DTSG has 5% equity in the project which according to him underlines the fact that the State Government is supporting the project and it will give the company the mileage in negotiation with the Federal Government and their foreign partners.
Oghene-Omoru enjoined the Management of the company to take advantage of the various windows opened regarding off-shore funding of the project which DIDA is putting together in concert with its foreign funding partners.
Speaking earlier the Chairman Akewa Colmar Terminal Ltd, Dr Keneth Donye said that the partnership with the Delta State Government will bring about a development that will engulf the whole of West Africa and beyond.
He said that the Burutu Port is very unique and strategic haven been recommended as the most suitable for dry-docking in Nigeria by a Holland Consulting firm (Imeco Naval Consultants).
According to him its natural depth of 18m makes it the deepest and only seaport in Nigeria with the capacity to accommodate all manner of vessels in the world, such as heavy liners like the Panamas.
Speaking further on the project, he said his company has the full support of the local community and that they have the capacity to see the project to a successful conclusion.
The Chairman Burutu Local Government Area, Mr Godknows Angele, HRM BosuDio, Ebenanakowei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu, HRH Pere Ekpama Smart, the Pere of Okun-AghoroEkeremor in Bayelsa State and HRH I.B. Ojukonsin, the Amananawei of Aghoro II Ekeremor LGA in Bayelsa in their remarks showed their enthusiasm about the success of the project and promised their full support to ensure that the project comes to fruition.
Also present at the ceremony were top DIDA and Akewa Colmar Ltd Managements.
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