A Professor of law in the Abia State University Uturu, (ABSU) Collins O. Chijioke, has made an urgent call for the establishment of free trade seaports in Obuaku Azumimi in Abia State, Oseakwa in Ihiala Local Government of Anambra State and Asemota in Imo State, for the economic growth and sustainable development of the region.
Professor Chijioke who made this known while delivering the 73rd Inaugural Lecture of the University on the topic, “Maritime Industry in Nigeria: Interrogating the Legal Issues”, at the University auditorium, said that the rivers in these areas have the deepest harbor and lie within 18 miles to the Atlantic Oceans.
He revealed that the seaports when established can handle over Thirty percent marine traffic in Nigeria and stressed the need for the dredging and upgrading of Onitsha river to allow smaller vessels access the port from Lagos and Port-Harcourt to boast the economy of the South East.
The erudite Professor of law further recommends, that the establishment of Seaports should be removed from the exclusive Legislative list and placed on the concurrent list of the 1999 Constitution to allow for the setting up of viable seaports across the Country while calling for the urgent extension of railway lines to cover every geo-political zone in the Country.
The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman on the occasion, Distinguished Professor Onyemachi M. Ogbulu, in his remarks commended the Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Collins Chijioke on the choice of subject for his lecture and urged those responsible for amending the Nigerian Constitution to exhibit more sincerity and inclusiveness in their proposals whenever the time to do so comes.
In a vote of thanks, the Director of Research and Publications, Professor Victor Nwaugo, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for sustaining the monthly Inaugural lecture series as well as Professor Chijioke for a quality and seamless delivery of the 73rd Inaugural Lecture.
The admittance of Professor Collins Chijioke into the college of Distinguished Professors of the University and presentation of a plaque to him by the Vice-Chancellor in company of the immediate past chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Onuoha Ogwe on behalf of the University as well as presentation of other gift items by various groups, were the major highpoints of the event
Meanwhile, the Principal Officers of the University and other diginitries attended the Inaugural lecture.
