Oguta Lake, Urashi River Dredging: Uzodinma, Navy Signs MoU

By Jennifer John

Imo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy and a consortium of companies for the dredging of Oguta Lake, Urashi River to the Sea.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, described it as a Tripartite Technical agreement, between the Imo State Government, the Nigerian Navy and a consortium of companies, led by Joemarin services, for the survey and dredging of Oguta Lake, Urashi River to the Sea.

The said, “The whole idea is to open the access, 93 kilometers from Oguta to the Sea. It will enable the Nigerian Navy which is already instituted in Oguta, to patrol the whole axis and be able to combat crude oil theft in the area. It will also create room for commercial navigation.

“It is something that I cannot be happier than I am now, because over the years, it was assumed that Imo State is landlocked, but at 93 nautical miles to the Sea, the proximity is obvious. As soon as it is opened, maritime traders and other forms of oil and gas activities will be boosted and the economy of the state will be enhanced”. The governor enthused.

One of the leaders of the consortium of companies who fielded questions from newsmen promised that the project will take off, as soon as government takes them to site.

Also fielding questions from newsmen, Rear Admiral Lassa, said first phase will the connaisance survey, second phase; the real survey, third phase; dredging and canalization while the fourth and final phase will be the boryage and marking of the channel for navigation.