Asagba of Asaba Backs Delta’s Plan To Revive Water Transport
HIS Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, Asagba of Asaba, has commended the Delta State Government for plans to revive water transportation in Asaba.
The monarch described the initiative as a major step towards unlocking the economic and tourism potential of the state capital.
Azinge spoke during his official visit to Cable Point Marine Waterside in Asaba. He visited the area to witness the commissioning of a newly constructed jetty by the Delta State Ministry of Transport.
The monarch praised the Commissioner for Transport, Onorode Agofure, and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for improving transportation infrastructure in Asaba and across Delta State.
He also stressed Asaba’s historic connection with its waterways. According to him, Cable Point played an important role in the early development of the community.
“The history of Asaba started from Cable Marine Waterside. Our founding father, who came from Igala, came through this same route,” he said.
Azinge further applauded the government for reconstructing Marine Road and reopening the Cable Point axis. He said the projects could restore commercial activity and improve access to the area.
Beyond transportation, the monarch said Delta could use its waterways to strengthen the blue economy. He added that the Asaba community had already engaged the National Inland Waterways Authority over the need to dredge the waterways.
He urged the state government to create an integrated water transport network linking Asaba with Illah and other neighbouring communities.
Such a network, he said, could ease movement, stimulate tourism and create new economic opportunities. It could also strengthen Asaba’s position as a major commercial and tourism hub.
Azinge equally encouraged private investors to explore opportunities around Cable Point. He identified hotels, restaurants, recreational centres and other tourism-related businesses as areas with investment potential.
With some parts of Asaba becoming increasingly congested, he said Cable Point could emerge as a new economic and tourism centre.
The monarch stressed that government could not drive the entire development process alone. He therefore urged Asaba indigenes, investors and other stakeholders to support the area through private-sector investment.
Earlier, Agofure praised the Asaba community for choosing a monarch who, he said, remained committed to the welfare and development of his people.
The commissioner said the Oborevwori administration had adopted a deliberate approach to developing Delta State. He added that the revival of the Marine Waterside formed part of its broader plan to harness the blue economy.
Agofure also disclosed that the state government was working to make four major seaports fully functional. They are Burutu, Warri, Koko and Sapele ports.
He said activating the ports would create multiplier effects across the state’s economy and strengthen Delta’s participation in the blue economy.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Asaba Tourism Promotion Committee, Chief Chukwurah Osowe Owelle, commended the state government for its urban renewal efforts around Cable Point.
He urged Governor Oborevwori to sustain and expand the projects in Asaba. Greater government attention, he said, would help unlock the area’s tourism, commercial and economic potential.
The jetty commissioning and the monarch’s visit therefore marked another step towards reconnecting Asaba with its historic waterways and developing new opportunities in transportation, tourism and the blue economy.
