Idris Umar, transport minister, has ordered owners of illegal jetties to close down their operations. Stating it would no longer be business as usual for individuals and firms behind the alleged mid-stream discharge of cargoes across the country’s waters.

He gave the order at the commissioning of Onne Ports Complex phase 4 projects and groundbreaking ceremony of Phase 4B recently. The six-year project is also expected to generate about 5,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for both professionals during its execution and about 20,000 direct and indirect job opportunities when it is in full operation. He explained that illegal jetties and midstream discharge of cargoes pose economic and security risk to the nation. Umar ordered that all cargoes must be discharged at Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, designated terminals. He added that there was no going back in development of ports infrastructure under a Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement.

Namadi Sambo, vice president, who unveiled the phase 4 projects and performed the groundbreaking ceremony of phase 4B on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, said the Federal Government would continue to empower the private sector in line with the transformation agenda. Sambo advised the private sector to take advantage of the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Niger Delta to invest under a PPP arrangement.

Also, Tony Anenih, chairman Board of Director of NPA said the development of phase 4B was consistent with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government. He noted that the proposed facility would enhance revenue and open up the zone for economic activities including creation of numerous jobs for Nigerians. He said the facilities would meet the demand of operators in the oil and gas sector. “Intel should be commended for this achievement,” he said.