Skip to main content

Transport Ministry to Harness Economic Potential of Inland Waterways, Inaugurates Technical Group

By Anne Ejuka


The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo has described the nation’s Inland Waterways as cash cows long overdue for harnessing, as it abounds with the potentials capable of revolutionising the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

The Minister stated this in Abuja at the inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) Proposal for Channel Management between Escravos, Onitsha and Baro Port on the Niger River on Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Sambo said: “Providence has challenged me to put into reality what I went to China to pursue as an employee of National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA. I went to China, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

“In my own case, I was marketing the water front lands owned by NIWA and we zeroed on the Marina NIWA Area Office with proposal to reclaim that land to build a container terminal as well as passenger terminal for people passing through Apapa”.

According to the minister, the idea was that when containers come into Lagos, you don’t have to discharge those meant for Onitsha in Lagos, but transport them in barges or vessels that can transverse low draughts to Onitsha port to be picked by vehicles for distribution in the hinterlands

“The primary objective is to invest, maintain and operate a high grade Inland Waterways channel between Baro River Port point to Onitsha River Port to the Warri Port at the Niger River and onward connection to the Gulf of Guinea for a sustainable maritime transportation route and lay a solid foundation for navigation network that would connect the Lagos ports, Lekki Deep Seaport with the Onitsha and Baro River Port for transportion of containerized and none containerized cargoes for shipping efficiency in Nigeria”, he explained.

Sambo pointed out that the value of such activities will lead to the decongestion of Lagos Ports, prolong the life span of the roads, reducuce pollution, and create a new mode of transportation by water, which in turn will not only engage civilians but security forces as the cargoes have to be escorted.

The four Terms of Reference of the TWG includes: “Carry out legal, Financial and Technical Due Diligence on Messrs DIDs Ltd home and abroad.

“Documentation of every single data and raw materials collected from survey and the operational processes, for the purpose of security and future use for the development of a robust Project Structuring Report (PRS).

“X-ray policies applicable for the purpose of putting the Inland waterways Channel to economic use

“Negotiate what is accruable to FGN/NIWA at every operations and any other responsibility as may be directed by the Honourable Minister”.

The 18-man TWG consist of technocrats from National Inland Waterways, Nigeria Ports Authority, the Navy among others, with the Permanent Secretary, Transportation, Dr.  Magdalene Ajani, as Chairman, the Managing Director, NIWA, Dr.  George Moghalu, as Alternate Chairman, the Deputy General Manager, Business Development, NIWA, Hassan Kaka as Secretary.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...
Post a Comment
Read more

NIMASA Reshuffles Management Team For Enhanced Efficiency And Inter-departmental Collaboration

By Anne Ejuka
I n an exercise aimed  at strengthening  inter-departmental collaboration and inject new energy into the system to further improve performance and enhance efficiency across the maritime sector, The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced a strategic redeployment of its management staff as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in line with its core mandate.   Under the new structure, according to a press statement issued by Mr. Edward Osagie FNIPR,  Head, Public Relations Officer of the agency, a total of 56 management staff were affected in the exercise. Notable amongst those redeployed are; Hajia Moji Jimoh who becomes Director, Administration and Human Resources; Aishatu Jidda, Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Services; Barr. Heaky Dimowo, Director, Legal Services/Board Secretary; Isichei Osamgbi, Director, SERVICOM; and Mrs. Olubusola Obasanjo-Akande, Director, Western Zone. Othe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Comptroller Otunla Gives Insights On Strategies Adopted In Achieving Mandate At Ogun1 Command

By Anne Ejuka
Comptroller Godwin Aderounmu Otunla, who assumed duties as Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service Idiroko, Ogun State on Thursday 24th of April 2025 has continued to build on existing successes, strengthening the fight against smuggling and emphasizing his commitment to professionalism and integrity in customs operations. The Comptroller, in an exclusive interview with a group of selected journalists at the command's headquarters in Idiroko last Friday in the presence of the Public Relations Officers of the Command, CSC Chado Zakari revealed strategies he has adopted in achieving his mandate of trade facilitation, anti smuggling and revenue generation not leaving out officers welfare at the command. Excerpts : Question : Sir, having served for upward of 34 years now and reaching the pinnacle rank of Comptroller of Customs, and Customs Area Controller, how would you describe the feelings sir?‎ Response: Yes, am very, very elated with good ...
Post a Comment
Read more