The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers Council, Mr. Emmanuel Jime, has said that work on the Makurdi River Port would soon commence as the port had been earmarked as one of new River ports that would be developed around the country.

Mr. Jime gave the indication in Makurdi at the weekend after the inauguration of the Council’s office.

According to him, an assurance has been given by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) that work would soon start on the Makurdi River Port.

Jime, who also attended one-day seminar with stakeholders with the theme ‘Appropriate Packaging and Quality Assurance of Argo-Allied Products as a Panacea for Increased Export’, said the new port will boost economic activity in Benue State which he said would lead to job creation for people in the state.

He urged the business community in Benue State to take advantage of the export promotion drive of the federal government to access the international market with non-oil exportable goods and produce.

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Jime pointed out that as the Food Basket of the Nation, Benue had a lot to benefit from the non-oil export promotion drive of the government especially when such exportable agro-allied goods and products were packaged and preserved properly in line with international best practices.

He said, “that is why this seminar has been put together, because the need for appropriate packaging and quality assurance of such agro-allied products for export is key to a successful export trade.”

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Tivlumum Nyitse, commended the Council for its activities in the state

President of the Benue Shippers Association, Potter Orbem Yakubu, commended the Council for its decision to reopen its Area Office in Makurdi, saying the gesture of the Executive Secretary would bring export trade and shipping closer to the people of the state.