WorldStage– The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced plans to rehabilitate dilapidated jetties, modernise infrastructure and phase out unsafe boats to improve safety nationwide.
The Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Mr Mukhtar Shagari, disclosed this during an inspection of projects and facilities in Lagos on Wednesday.
The inspection covered the NIWA Lagos Area Office, Marina, alongside board members and the Managing Director, Mr Yusuf Gerie.
Shagari said the visit assessed operations and identified areas requiring intervention to improve inland water transportation across the country.
He said the board had approved a nationwide assessment of NIWA infrastructure following its inauguration.
According to him, the review will guide rehabilitation of offices and jetties and expansion of critical water transport infrastructure.
Shagari said budgetary provisions had been made to address infrastructure deficiencies across NIWA facilities nationwide.
He said the authority also planned to construct additional jetties, particularly in Lagos, to meet increasing demand for water transportation.
Shagari said NIWA would improve internally generated revenue through stronger stakeholder engagement and collaboration with relevant agencies.
He said the authority was working with security agencies, including the police, to strengthen enforcement and ensure compliance with water transport regulations.
Shagari expressed concern over the continued use of ageing and unsafe boats by operators across the country’s waterways.
He reaffirmed NIWA’s commitment to replacing unsafe boats with safer and more modern vessels.
According to him, the authority is exploring procurement of modern vessels and partnerships with indigenous boat builders.
Shagari said improved waterways would reduce transport costs, ease pressure on roads, facilitate trade and support economic growth.
He urged greater private sector investment in dredging, infrastructure development and water transportation services.
Earlier, Gerie said the visit provided firsthand information on activities at the Lagos Area Office and operational challenges.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, for supporting NIWA’s transformation.
The Lagos Area Manager, Mrs Sarat Braimah, described Lagos as strategic to Nigeria’s inland water transportation system.
Braimah said the office remained committed to safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and infrastructure development.She expressed confidence that the visit would strengthen efforts to improve service delivery and the authority’s overall performance.
