FG To Harness The Potentials Of Inland Water Transportation Says Transport Minister

Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar has reiterated the commitment of the present administration to optimally utilize the potentials of inland water transportation in Nigeria.
Senator Umar also said that President Goodluck Jonathan believes that a lot could be achieved using inland water transportation and that is why efforts should be put together to achieve this goal of transforming the inland water transportation sector.

Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar has reiterated the commitment of the present administration to optimally utilize the potentials of inland water transportation in Nigeria.
Senator Umar also said that President Goodluck Jonathan believes that a lot could be achieved using inland water transportation and that is why efforts should be put together to achieve this goal of transforming the inland water transportation sector.
The Minister stated this when he received the report of the committee which he inaugurated in January this year to, appraise the nation’s inland waterways transportation system.
The committee was tasked with the responsibility of  identifying all navigable waters and creeks in Nigeria; identifying factors inhibiting sustainable inland water transportation in Nigeria and recommend how best to utilize the river channels and creeks for maximum economic benefits of the nation.
Senator Umar also stated that he had no doubt about the quality of the report judging by the caliber of the members of the committee who are professionals with success stories in their private and public endeavours.
He thanked them for the prompt way the assignment was executed and promised to study the report and also put together implementation committees which will be domiciled in his office to fas- track its implementation and avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks while not sacrificing due process.
Earlier on, the chairman of the committee who is also the Director of Maritime Services in the Federal Ministry of Transport, Alhaji Musa Nagogo, thanked the Minister for putting together such an experienced and highly professional team and expressed his confidence in the overall economic development of Nigeria if the recommendations of the committee are implemented.