The Onitsha River Port in Anambra State came alive earlier this month as it received its first barge for the 2025 operating season. The barge, named MV ZUPITOR/MV RB ALASKA, berthed at the inland port to the excitement of port workers, residents, and stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Speaking during the berthing, Mr Chris Mbonu, General Manager of Universal Elysium Limited, the concessionaire managing Onitsha River Port, described the event as an important achievement. He said it shows that the port is active but also highlights the major challenge limiting its full potential — the irregular dredging of the River Niger.
Mbonu said port operations in Onitsha are ongoing but mostly seasonal. According to him, the port only sees serious activity during the rainy season when the River Niger’s water level is high enough to allow barges and other vessels to move freely. He blamed the low volume of operations during the dry season on the lack of regular dredging of the river.
“The port is functional and ready to work every day of the year,” Mbonu said. “But without regular dredging of the River Niger, we can only operate when the river allows us. This turns a national asset into a seasonal operation.”
He added that inconsistent dredging and poor channel management have continued to reduce the usefulness of Onitsha Port, despite the huge investments made in its infrastructure. Mbonu compared the situation to having a car with no fuel — the car may be in good condition but it cannot move.
He called on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and private sector players to take the issue of dredging seriously. He urged that regular dredging and maintenance of the River Niger should be treated as a national economic priority.
According to Mbonu, if the River Niger is dredged consistently, barges, ferries, and even larger vessels will be able to travel between seaports in southern Nigeria and inland areas like Onitsha all year round. He said this would reduce transport and logistics costs, help decongest major roads, shorten delivery timelines, and cut business delays.
He added that improved inland waterway transport would encourage more investments in the country’s logistics and industrial sectors, while also improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Mbonu further pointed out that agriculture and tourism would also benefit. He explained that better water transport would allow farmers and traders to move their goods quickly and efficiently. This would also boost agro-export from the South-East region and support the movement of raw materials to industries and ports.
He said the Onitsha Port could become a major multimodal commercial centre connecting road, river, and possibly rail transport, if the right policies and investments are made. He stressed that the port already has the infrastructure in place and that there is clear demand for its services from businesses and residents in the South-East and beyond.
He urged the government to focus more on inland ports and waterways to grow Nigeria’s economy. “What we need now is commitment, consistency, and strategic investment. With proper attention, inland waterway transport can become a strong pillar of economic growth for Nigeria,” he said.
Onitsha River Port, which is located on the eastern bank of the River Niger, is one of Nigeria’s key inland ports. It is designed to reduce the pressure on Lagos ports and open up trade routes across the country. But due to irregular dredging, the port has not operated at full capacity since it was completed and handed over to the concessionaire.
In the last few years, the Federal Government has made efforts to revive inland waterway transportation. However, many stakeholders believe that more needs to be done in terms of funding, dredging, and policy implementation to unlock the full potential of inland ports like Onitsha.
As the MV ZUPITOR/MV RB ALASKA continues its operations, stakeholders hope this signals the beginning of a more consistent and effective inland shipping season in Nigeria.
