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The Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Munirudeen Oyebamiji has made a case for the dredging of the waterways serving the eastern ports, saying this will reduce congestion at the Apapa ports.
Oyebamiji, who was represented by the Authority’s GM, Business Development, Surveyor Olumide Adetola, made this recommendation at the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) 2023 conference and awards which held in Lagos, last week.
The theme of the conference was ” Rebuilding Nigeria’s economy towards Viable Transborder Trade”
Speaking on the topic “Developing Nigerian Waterways infrastructure for effective movement of goods and services”, the NIWA boss said, according to a statement made by AMJON.
“The government has to focus on dredging the waterways in the Eastern part of the Country to enable businessmen directly berth goods at the eastern ports like Onne, amongst others,” he said during the paper presentation.
He also clarified that NIWA, NIMASA and NPA were not in any conflict with one another regarding their duties, saying it had been made easier to function following the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Adetola during his paper presentation said the nation’s waterways resources were grossly underutilized and underdeveloped. “In order to elicit efficient, prudent and profitable utilization of the waterways transport system, the Federal Government must transform waterways infrastructure facilities in line with shared vision and initiative towards modern competitive multi-modal water transport system with best practices and services consistence with current global standards, the NIWA boss said.
Adetola said the huge infrastructural deficit grossly affected the waterways transport system in Nigeria. He said the improvement in the institutional structure and features of waterways and its associated public utilities are essential to attain economic growth.
The AMJON Conference also feature awards, which the Mr Jibril DARDAU , General Manager Corporate Affairs of NIWA was among the awardees for his immense contributions as a Corporate Media Manager in projecting the image of NWA and the maritime industry at large.
