By Eric Moore
STAKEHOLDERS and other road users within the Onne Port community in Rivers State, have heaved a sigh of relief, following the rehabilitation of the deplorable Road D’ at Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
Some of the stakeholders, particularly truck drivers, said the road, which has been completed and, hopefully, would soon be opened for public use, will reduce the nightmare of plying the road with containers.
They described the completion of the road as a welcome development, and thanked the management of NPA for stepping up their push to address road infrastructural needs at FOT, Onne Port.
Similarly, a member of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), who simply gave his name a Maxwell, disclosed that OMT Management is pushing strongly to convince NPA management to open the already completed portion of ‘Road D’ for truck drivers and other operatives to ease difficulties they regularly encounter on the earthen road.
Maxwell expressed: ” First and very importantly is our appreciation to the Managing Director of NPA for the construction and completion of a section of Road D; and also thanking the management of Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), for showing leadership by encouraging NPA MD, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, to open the already completed section of Road D at FOT, Onne Port.”
Meanwhile, a close source at OMT, disclosed that the Managing Director of the Terminal, Mr. Nicolo Scannavini, in a move to address the road challenges of his company operations, truck drivers and other terminal operators at FOT Onne, had on February 10, 2025 written a letter to the Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, applauding NPA for fast-tracking the completion of a section of the road.
The letter with the subject: “Request For Permission to use completed Portion of Road D”, said “they are writing to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), for the construction of Road D within the Onne Port Complex.”
The company added that the completion of the road is a significant milestone in the development of the infrastructure, thereby enhancing facilities at the seaport.
According to the company, the opening of the road for public use will reduce traffic congestion and enhance safety of all the stakeholders.
The letter partly read: “The construction of Road D has been a long-awaited project, and we are delighted to see it nearing completion.
“As a major stakeholder in the port, we are eager to utilize the completed portion of the road to facilitate the movement of personnel, equipment, and cargo within the port.
“We believe that this will not only improve our operational efficiency, but also contribute to the overall safety and security of the port.
“In the light of the above, we respectfully request permission to use the completed portion of Road D. This will enable NPA to ease traffic congestion, prevent accidents, and reduce the risk of trucks tripping over on the earthed road.
“We are confident that granting users permission to use the completed portion of the road will have a positive impact on the overall operations of the port and enhance the safety of all stakeholders.”