Lokoja monarch decries poor dredging of River Niger

CITING the haphazard work done, a chief in Kogi State has decried the much-publicized dredging of the River Niger .
The Maigarin of Lokoja Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III said the poor work done in the dredging of the River Niger has diminished its economic potentials for the people of the state greatly.

The paramount ruler of the first capital city of Nigeria is pained that River Niger which was used by multinational companies with the aid of light cargoes for bringing goods to Lokoja and Niger State in the sixties can no longer be useful for that purpose because of the shoddy and half hazard dredging work.

The dredging of the Lower Niger, which was approved by late President Umaru Yar’ Adua, was reported to have reached advanced stage in three lots, substantial portions of Lot 3 and 5 were yet to be completed.

The dredging of lower River Niger was awarded with the main objective of achieving an all year round navigation of the dredged channels from Warri in Delta State to Baro in Niger State.

According to the royal father, “In those days multinationals like the UAC and John Holt used to ship their goods to Lokoja from and up to Barro in Nigeria State and to Benue and Adamawa through the river Niger but the whole thing is another story today.”

The dredging he said has now caused more harm because such light cargoes can no longer ply the River Niger.