The Buhari Media Organisation, BMO, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the take-off of the Oguta Lake dredging project which is aimed at channeling the waterway to the Atlantic Ocean.
BMO said that when the project comes to reality, it will create so many economic opportunities for Imo, Nigeria and the West African region as a whole.
Group Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke said that apart from the economic gains, the dredging of the Lake will make the navigation of bigger vessels possible.
“This will aid the security agencies to adequately patrol and secure the waterways which hitherto were being used by criminal elements and pirates to perpetrate their nefarious activities.
“Such porous waterways were also being used as a safe haven for oil bunkering activities and this unpatriotic act had in no small measure depleted the revenues accruable to the State and federal governments,’’ it said.
BMO also said that the plan to unlock the huge potentials of the Oguta Lake had remained only on paper over the years, but with approval granted by Buhari, the social-economic benefits will begin to manifest.
“Apart from being a maritime hub where goods and services can be transported from and into the country, more revenues will be accessed by the State from tourists and mariners who will utilise the 18-hole golf course as well the huge aquatic resources of the lake.
“Also, the dredging of the Lake will open up the maritime corridor towards the Atlantic Ocean, thereby creating jobs and business opportunities.
The group said that the Buhari administration had achieved similar feats with the completion of the Warri-Itakpe rail line and the second Niger Bridge which were abandoned for many decades.
“These spectacular achievements clearly show that the President is development-oriented,” the group added.
Credible News reports that Vice President Yemi Osibanjo last week lauded the plan to dredge the Oguta/Orashi river as an economic transformation project, describing the effort as a game changer for the government of Governor Hope Uzodimma and the people of Imo State.
He spoke on Thursday at Oguta at a ceremony to flag-off the hydro-graphic survey and dredging of Oguta Lake and Orashi River to Degema in Rivers State up to the Atlantic Ocean.
He promised Federal Government support to the Imo State Government to bring the dredging of Oguta Lake and Orashi River Development Project to fruition and urged all to join hands to achieve the project.
The Vice President expressed delight to be part of the ceremony and informed that the project was initiated and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as a result of several demands made on him by Governor Uzodimma.
He said, “the project is to revive the economic channels and enhance coastal connectivity and ensure security on the stretch of the two rivers opening up to the Atlantic Ocean,” adding that “the project when realised will offer economic opportunities to the host communities, Imo State and Nigeria in general.”
Wikipeadia describes Oguta Lake as a lean ‘finger lake’ formed by the damming of the lower Njaba River with alluvium. it is the largest natural lake in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria; within the equatorial rainforest region of Niger Delta. Oguta Lake’s catchment area comprises the drainage area of the Njaba River and a part of the River Niger floodplain in the region south of Onitsha.
