Minister Adegboyega Oyetola Unveils New Initiatives to Enhance Nigeria’s Inland Waterways.
Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, visited the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State, to launch several groundbreaking projects aimed at revitalizing the nation’s inland waterways.
During his working tour, Minister Oyetola outlined his vision to align NIWA’s initiatives with the Ministry’s broader goals of improving Nigeria’s trade balance, strengthening the Naira, and generating employment opportunities. He praised NIWA for its efforts in implementing the Water Transportation Code and the introduction of new boats and projects designed to enhance water transportation and safety.
Among the new assets introduced were fifteen (15) boats of varying capacities and functions, including:
- Three (3) boats equipped with 150 horsepower engines each for surveillance, enhancing the visibility of NIWA Police officers.
- Five (5) boats with double 75 horsepower engines each dedicated to enforcing safety regulations.
- One (1) combat-ready Gun Patrol Boat with a 115 horsepower engine for emergency security responses.
- One (1) 62-seater passenger boat, launched as a pilot project to replace traditional wooden passenger canoes.
- Three (3) fully equipped water ambulances to facilitate prompt emergency responses.
- Two (2) hydrographic survey boats with multi-beam echo sounders to provide detailed and accurate seafloor mapping.
Minister Oyetola emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to overcoming operational challenges, expanding navigable waterways, and supporting the maritime sector through comprehensive policies and strategic partnerships. These initiatives are pivotal to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the nation’s broader development goals.
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Highlighting the current limitations, Minister Oyetola noted that out of Nigeria’s 10,000 kilometers of waterways, only 3,000 kilometers are currently navigable. The Ministry aims to increase this figure by at least 2,000 kilometers through extensive dredging of strategically important inland waterways, facilitating the movement of goods and people, and creating lasting improvements for future generations.
Additionally, the Ministry is actively engaging with stakeholders to finalize the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), which is essential for the maritime sector’s growth. Minister Oyetola reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to creating an enabling environment, developing supportive policies, and providing the necessary resources to advance the Inland Waterways segment of the maritime sector, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
