By Joshua Yousouph
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has unveiled plans to rehabilitate dilapidated infrastructure across NIWA offices nationwide, replace ageing and unsafe boats, strengthen enforcement against unregulated jetties, and deepen collaboration with the private sector to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Chairman of the Governing Board of NIWA, Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari disclosed this during a press briefing held as part of a facility tour of NIWA projects and facilities in Lagos on Wednesday. The tour was led by the Board Chairman alongside members of the Board and the Managing Director of NIWA, Engr. Yusuf Gerie, at the NIWA Lagos Area Office, Marina.
Addressing journalists, the Board Chairman said the visit was aimed at assessing operations within the Lagos Area Office and identifying measures that would improve water transportation and safety across the country’s inland waterways. He noted that one of the first decisions taken by the newly inaugurated Board was to undertake a comprehensive review of NIWA’s infrastructure nationwide.
“One of the first things we did was to direct that all our infrastructure across the country be assessed. Any building that is dilapidated must be repaired and any jetty that is not in good condition must be looked into,” Shagari said.
According to him, provisions have already been made in the Authority’s budget to rehabilitate offices and jetties, while plans are also underway to establish additional jetties, particularly in Lagos, to support the growing demand for water transportation. He stressed that improving the physical condition of NIWA facilities was essential to projecting a positive institutional image and creating a conducive work environment for staff.
The Board Chairman also addressed concerns over inadequate funding for the Authority, explaining that while government support remained crucial, NIWA was pursuing strategies to boost its internally generated revenue through stronger stakeholder collaboration and operational efficiency.
“Funding is very important because without funding there is not much you can do. But we are not waiting for the Federal Government alone. We are doing everything we can to improve our own revenue drive and work with stakeholders to improve our resources,” he stated.
On safety and regulation, Shagari disclosed that NIWA was intensifying efforts to tackle the menace of unregulated jetties and non-compliant operators through collaboration with security agencies.
He revealed that discussions had already commenced with the Nigeria Police Force to provide additional support to NIWA marshals in enforcing waterway regulations.
The Chairman also expressed concern over the widespread use of old and unsafe boats by operators, describing many of the vessels currently in service as an embarrassment and a threat to passenger safety.
According to him, the Board is exploring measures to facilitate the acquisition of modern boats and ferries, including budgetary support from the Federal Government and partnerships with indigenous boat builders.
“We are going to phase out unsafe and outdated vessels. If we are serious about safety, then we must provide better alternatives. We will continue to make a strong case for funding to procure modern vessels for operators,” he said.
He added that the Authority would continue to build on the safety initiatives introduced by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and previous NIWA leadership, particularly the enforcement of life jacket usage, restrictions on night travel and the promotion of safer fibre boats.
Speaking on the economic benefits of inland waterways transportation, Shagari said making rivers and waterways more navigable would reduce transportation costs, ease pressure on roads, lower food prices and boost economic activities across the country. He called for stronger private sector participation in dredging, infrastructure development and water transportation services.
“Water transportation is the cheapest mode of transportation. If our waterways are safe and navigable, movement of goods will become cheaper and our roads will have some respite from the pressure of heavy trucks,” he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NIWA, Engr. Yusuf Gerie, said the Board’s visit to Lagos was intended to provide firsthand insight into the operations of the Area Office and identify opportunities for improvement.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for assembling what he described as a team of experienced professionals and technocrats to reposition the Authority.
“We are in Lagos to assess the activities of our Area Office and see what we can do to improve the activities of our waterways in Nigeria,” Gerie said, expressing confidence that the expertise within the Board would bring significant transformation to NIWA.
In her welcome address, the Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, expressed appreciation to the Board Chairman, Board members and the Managing Director for choosing Lagos as one of the first destinations for their facility assessment tour.
She described Lagos as the hub of inland water transportation in Nigeria and highlighted the strategic role of the Area Office in regulating waterway operations, promoting safety compliance and facilitating transportation on the nation’s busiest waterways.
Braimah noted that the visit would provide the Board with firsthand knowledge of operational realities in Lagos and strengthen efforts to improve infrastructure, service delivery and safety standards within the area.
She reaffirmed the commitment of officers and staff of the Lagos Area Office to supporting the Authority’s mandate of developing safe, efficient and sustainable inland waterways transportation.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Board Member Captain Tajudeen Alao commended the media for their continued support and coverage of NIWA’s activities.
He urged all stakeholders, including water transport operators, security agencies, private investors and the public, to collaborate with the Authority in promoting safety and compliance on the nation’s waterways.
Captain Alao stressed that achieving safer inland waterways required collective effort and sustained support for NIWA’s programmes and initiatives, adding that collaboration remained critical to reducing accidents and improving water transportation across the country.
The facility tour also provided the Board members with the opportunity to inspect ongoing projects, interact with staff and assess operational challenges and opportunities within the Lagos Area Office.
