The Managing Director, NIWA, Boss Gida Mustapha, during an official visit of NIMPORT to its headquarters in Lokoja, said efforts are currently in top gear to reposition the agency for improved performance.
Chairman, NIMPORT, Fortune Idu, was at NIWA for preparations on their future programmes and how it will be captured in the development and promotion plans of NIMPORT 2017 exhibition which is scheduled to hold in August 2017 in Lagos.
It has been observed that NIWA in the past years has been faced with several developmental challenges; from reduced revenue allocation from the central government to indiscriminate usurping of its duties by some other agencies and state governments leading to unregulated activities within and around the corridors of Nigerian waterways.
Lack of funds has made the agency unable to embark aggressively on the dredging of the rivers for safer navigation and increase transportation usage. While uncontrolled development within the corridors of Nigerian waters has continued to have negative impacts on channel blockage and has increased water pollution.
As it stands today, Nigeria has four river ports development projects, which have not met their expected objectives. For instance Baro, a port that is already developed is not linked to any access road therefore hindering easy evacuation of the cargoes received into hinterland.
By repositioning NIWA, the agency will have greater powers to regulate inland water navigation, set standards and enforce compliance for improving waterway safety and also open more opportunity for profitable investment in inland water transportation.
Mustapha promised to introduce a new NIWA that will deliver to the Federal Government a maximum yields on operations within the nations rivers and inland waters for; transportation, logistics, agriculture and tourism.
