‘Dredging of River Benue to commence soon’
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) at the weekend said the N25 billion contract for the dredging of River Benue which was awarded by the federal government last year would commence soon.
Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Danladi Ibrahim, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Lokoja on the activities of the agency, noted that dredging of the two major rivers, Niger and Benue was aimed at boosting the nation’s transportation system.
He said the economic potential of the north would be unlocked if the nation’s waterways was properly developed, noting that the northern states are not landlocked as often believed by some people.
“Maritime transportation is an effective means of movement across the country. You can access all states of the federation by water transportation if adequate manpower through either the private or government sectors could be provided”, he said.
Ibrahim noted that as the nation’s crude oil price is no longer lucrative and booming, Nigeria is gradually returning to its original agricultural and solid mineral as economic mainstay of which the maritime industry is very relevant to transport the products within and outside the country.
Danladi, who identified underfunding as one of the major challenges facing the water transport sector, expressed the hope that the problem will be over as soon as the National Inland Waterways Authority Bill before the National Assembly is passed.
He named other stakeholders in the maritime industry who could effectively contribute to the funding of the navigation transport to include; dams which derive their power from water and oil companies.
“With the right legal frame work to compel these stakeholders in funding of the National Inland Waterways Authority, our problem will be over”, he said.
He said the existing five river ports are currently being funded by the federal government, calling on the private sector to join hands with government in the development of the maritime industry through private/public partnership.