By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Mr Bola Oyebamiji has raised alarm over the poor state of three key river ports in the country, saying that unless something is done urgently, the ports would soon become white elephant projects.
The alarm follows moves by the Federal Government last year to revive three moribund river ports valued at about ₦9.4 billion.
Apparently, helpless, the agency has now revealed that inadequate funding, poor road connectivity, and lack of dredging continue to stall their completion and full operation.
One year after NIWA’s promise to bring the river ports in Baro (Niger state), Oguta (Imo state), and Lokoja (Kogi state) back to life, the Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, in a chat with our correspondent, admitted that several challenges have hindered the ports’ progress. According to him, private sector investment remains the only viable solution to getting these ports operational, as the government alone cannot fund their completion and maintenance.
Oyebamiji explained that while NIWA remains committed to the revival plan, but lamented that funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, and bureaucracy have slowed the process. To attract private investment, he said he has embarked on a strategic tour of NIWA’s facilities in Onitsha, Warri, and Port Harcourt, engaging stakeholders and assessing the state of inland waterways infrastructure.
In a detailed report, sent to our correspondent, Oyebamiji outlined the various challenges affecting the river ports. He said the Baro Inland River Port in Niger State, awarded in 2009 for ₦3.56 billion, has been fully-constructed, but remains non-operational due to poor road connectivity, lack of maintenance of equipment, and inadequate funding for dredging and infrastructure development. He confirmed that despite completion, the port remains inaccessible, making it difficult for cargo movement.
He said the Oguta River Port in Imo State, that was awarded in 2009 for ₦2.74 billion is only 65% completed due to lack of budgetary allocations in recent years and rising construction costs.
The NIWA boss noted that the project risks abandonment unless urgent funding is provided, stressing that a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is the only realistic way forward.
Similarly, the Lokoja River Port in Kogi State, awarded in 2012 for ₦6.4 billion, is only 56% completed, also largely due to low budgetary allocations and the rising cost of construction materials. NIWA also identified silted waterfronts as a major obstacle, stating that dredging must be prioritized before the port can function optimally.
Meanwhile, the Onitsha River Port in Anambra State, which was rehabilitated in 2009 under a ₦4.66 billion contract, has been fully completed and concessioned to a private operator. However, NIWA admitted that further dredging of the waterfronts and improved navigability of the river channels are still required for optimal operations.
Meanwhile stakeholders in the maritime and logistics sector have raised concerns about the slow pace of inland waterways development.
A clearing agent at Onne Port, Emeka Ogwu, lamented that the continued neglect of river ports is a missed opportunity for decongesting Lagos and other ports and promoting intermodal transport.
He noted that functional inland ports could reduce pressure on roads and create thousands of jobs, urging relevant authorities to move beyond mere promises and secure serious investors.
Similarly, a transport economist; Bala Zakka stressed that dredging is a non-negotiable aspect of inland water transport, warning that no serious investor would commit funds if the government does not first address navigability issues. He emphasized that fully completed river ports will remain idle if the channels leading to them are not dredged for seamless cargo movement.
