The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has urged stakeholders in the oil sector to collaborate with the Federal Government for the dredging of the Calabar channel, local media reports.
Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha , the Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage, Retail and Infrastructure of the Authority, made the call earlier this week in Calabar while inspecting tank farms operating in the Calabar depot.
According to Ukoha, dredging would allow for bigger vessels to berth with petroleum products with a view to meeting the storage capacity of the depot.
The oil marketers have identified dredging as one of the major concerns limiting the supply of petroleum products to their facilities at the jetty, said the official.
“The draft of the Calabar channel was one of the concerns raised by oil marketers; due to this, they have to wait for the tide to become high before bringing in their vessels,” Ukoha stated.
“With dredging, we can do more so that bigger vessels can come in because they have the capacity for storage.”
Historically, Calabar Port served as an important focus of trade with the outside world for the Eastern States and a natural harbour for the Northern States of Nigeria right from the pre-colonial and colonial times.