NIWA URGES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INVESTORS TO BOOST INVESTMENT IN INLAND WATERWAYS

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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has expressed concern that Nigeria still trails behind its global counterparts in harnessing the vast potential of its inland water resources for transportation, trade, and local development.

The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Sarat Braimah, made this known on Tuesday while speaking at the 3rd Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub, where she called on the Federal Government and private sector investors to increase investment in the nation’s waterways.

Braimah stressed that such efforts are vital to unlocking Nigeria’s blue economy potential and improving the livelihoods of millions of people living in coastal and riverine communities.

“Despite the enormous potential, Nigeria still lags behind global peers in harnessing its inland water resources for transport, trade, and local development,” she said.

She noted that waterways play a central role in the economic and social activities of communities surrounded by water, adding that this informed the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“There are a lot of potentials in inland waterways, and that is why the government of President Bola Tinubu made a special ministry known as the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry,” Braimah said.

According to her, Nigeria has 28 littoral states interconnected by navigable waters, with five West African countries accessible through its inland waterways — a geographical advantage that presents immense opportunities for inter-regional trade and sustainable transport.

Comparing Nigeria’s progress with China’s achievements, Braimah pointed out that China’s heavy investment in its inland waterways over the past few years had significantly boosted its global standing.

“If you go to China today, they started investing in their inland waterways five years ago, and you can see where they are today; it is what is making them popular in the whole world,” she remarked.

While commending the Federal Government for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Braimah maintained that institutional frameworks must be backed by tangible action.

“Beyond policies and seminars, we have to make the commensurate investment,” she stated.