Determined to enhance operational efficiency as well as encourage water transportation, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has commissioned three patrol boats and 32 – seater ferry boat in Port Harcourt.
Sambo in his recent visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority’s Area Office in Port Harcourt described inland waterway transportation as the cheapest and safest means of moving goods and persons and key to the development of any country, especially that endowed with water.
The Minister who was the former managing director of the Agency disclosed that while he was at the helm of affairs there, he did not only maintain the amount of revenue set by his predecessors but surpassed it.
“When I came here, a lot of people were wondering if we are going to succeed. But I did not only sustain the level of revenue that was sustained by my predecessors, but I even surpassed them,” he said.
He commended George Moghalu, managing director NIWA for the giant strides attained, saying: “Seriously, MD, l am happy I came here today. If didn’t come, I would not have known the strides you have achieved. Without doubts, I think you have made the greatest impact of all the Managing Directors that have served the Authority”. “Your tenure has moved the Authority from level 5 to Level 9”.
Furthermore, the Minister observed that Nigeria is blessed in that regard as 28 States of the Federation can be accessed by water, hence the need to develop the sector.
While promising to provide support in any capacity, he called on the managing director to quickly operationalise the marina area office in Lagos which has been identified as a hub for trans-shipping cargoes from Lagos through the Intercoastal routes like Warri and Onitsha.
Earlier, the managing director, NIWA, Moghalu, informed that in less than a year, the Agency has commissioned more than twenty patrol boats, as well as a houseboat, tugboat and water ambulance for distribution to various Area offices of the Authority.
According to him, the act is part of the Agency’s vision to ensure that the nation’s Inland waterways provide a truly safe, efficient, cost-effective and alternative mode of transportation of goods and persons as well as become competitive and attractive.
Speaking further, Moghalu said: “the huge opportunities that abound in the nation’s Inland waterways can only be maximized if concerted efforts are geared towards the development of infrastructure and proper funding to make the waterways attractive and competitive to players”.
Also, he disclosed that the Authority has licensed several companies for the transportation of cargoes across the waterways in Nigeria, especially from Lagos so as to decongest it and open up other Inland ports.
