By Uzor Odigbo
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Munirudeen Oyebamiji has urged the government to urgently dredge the waterways serving the eastern ports to reduce congestion at the Apapa ports.
Oyebamiji who was represented by the NIWA’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 Rockview Hotel Apapa.
“The government has to focus on dredging the waterways in east 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. He said it had been made easier to function following the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking during his paper presentation, he 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 waterway infrastructure facilities in line with shared vision and initiative towards modern competitive multi-modal water transport system with best practices and service 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.