Urashi Seaport: Huge gas deposit in Imo ‘ll be easily exported, hastens economic growth – monarch

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The large volume of gas deposit in Imo and other neighbouring gas flow stations will be exported out of the country for foreign exchange with minimal overhead cost when the proposed Urashi Seaport championed by Governor Hope Uzodimma is commenced and completed.

A renowned traditional ruler in Imo State, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanwe, the traditional ruler of Ihim, Isiama autonomous community of Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, made the disclosure in his recent interaction with Nation Update at his palace.

The monarch said Imo State today has one of the highest deposit of natural gas in the country, maintained that the country stands to benefit greatly even as her dwindling economic growth will be hastened and given a leap if the Urashi Seaport is constructed.

Eze Ohanwe who is the Pro-chancellor of Imo State College of Education said the seaport will not only make import and export easier for the country, will also reduce cost of imported and locally manufactured goods in our various markets.

And will most especially make it easier for various countries of the world that would be needing the country’s gas and other petroleum products to move them.

“One of the greatest and meaningful support the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress(APC) can give to Gov. Hope Uzodimma at this time is to start the construction of the Urashi Seaport.

“When that is done, Imo people and southeast on the whole will be rest assured that before the expiration of his second term in office, he will midwife completion of the seaport for our people and in the general interest of Nigerians.

Ohanwe

“The Igbos in their enterprising and self-help spirit will do all possible to make this dream a reality once they see the commitment of the federal government and her relevant agencies afloat.

“We call on the media to help us ‘cry this our cry’ this time, embark on concerted and consistent media advocacy to sensitize the world on the viability of the Urashi Seaport which will not be coming in anyway to rival any other seaports in the country.

“Media advocacy is needed also to demystify the erroneous impression that southeast is landlocked which is a total falsehood emanating from those who have remained obdurate in their ill conceived notion about this side of the country.

Eze Ohanwe, a leading traditional ruler in the southeast said Oguta where Urashi is situated has a link to the Atlantic ocean, stated that if Nigeria hopes to be reckoned with internationally as a manufacturing country, “the small manufacturers in Aba, Nnewi, Ontisha and Enugu need this port to push their products to the international markets.

“The port will be a major incentive to manufacturers. Mind you, the most Nigerian importers, those importing to add value and sell are based in Ontisha, Nnewi and Aba,” the monarch stated.

Approval of the Urashi Seaport for immediate commencement of construction he said is the most crucial thing President Tinubu can do for the Southeast geopolitical zone which according to him is where the three most important commercial and industrial towns in Nigeria (Onitsha, Aba and Nnewi) are located.

The Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) he particularly called on to come as a nationalistic agency, put it’s feet forward, show patriotism and commitment toward the actualization of this dream in the interest of the country.

Eze Ohanwe who cautioned some vested interests who may have continued to frustrate this laudable foreign earning for the country to desist as it is a dream whose time has come.

Ohanwe who is also the Chef Executive Officer(CEO) of Olinco Marine Travel Services, which has operational locations in all the ports in the country spanning for over 28 years stated that the governors from the zone, members of the national assembly, business community and even the Ohaneze worldwide, are taking the development of the seaport seriously because of its benefit to the zone and Nigeria;

Present state of Oguta Lake

“And we will go the extra miles to prevent those who wouldn’t want the Urashi Seaport actualized. There is no gainsaying the fact that it will improve the country’s economy and benefit ordinary Nigerians regardless on tribe or religion,” he stated.