ABSTRACT
Efforts to develop river transportation by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have a long history. One of such efforts was the commissioning of the Netherlands Engineering Consultants (NEDECO) on August 21 1954 to study the conditions in the River Niger and Benue. The object was to determine how shipping can be most effectively improved. In a report submitted on February 7, 1959, NEDECO recommended among other things the dredging of River Niger and the construction of River Ports along the River at Baro, Lokoja, Idah and Onitsha. These recommendations have not seen the light of the day for the past 40 years. Recently however, the Petroleum Trust Fund now (defunct) and the Federal Ministry of Transportation on February 10 1999 signed N8.3 billion contract for the dredging of the River Niger. Also plans are underway for the development of River Ports at Idah, Lokoja, Baro as well as completion of the port of Onitsha.