FG seeks private partnership in development of Eastern river ports, others

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The federal government said it’s constrained by fund to dredge and develop eastern river ports and others in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Munirudeen Oyebamiji made the disclosure at the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) 2023 conference and awards which was held in Rockview Hotel Apapa.

He said such efforts would go a long way to decongest the Apapa ports. He encouraged private companies to come and partner with government to develop any of the ports and manage them overtime as they possess great business potentials.

Oyebanji who was represented by the NIWA General Manager, Business Development, Surveyor Olumide Adetola said it’s important the eastern waterways are dredge for operations of river ports to enable businessmen from the area berth their goods directly.
He said, “The government has to focus on dredging the waterways in east to enable businessmen directly berth goods at the eastern ports like Onne, amongst others,” he said during the paper presentation.

Some of the participants at the AMJON event in Lagos

He also clarified that NIWA, NIMASA and NPA were not in any conflict with one another regarding their duties, adding that it had been made easier to function following the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Speaking during his paper presentation, he said the nation’s waterways resources were grossly underutilized and underdeveloped.

“In order to elicit efficient, prudent and profitable utilization of the waterways transport system, the Federal Government must transform waterway infrastructure facilities in line with shared vision and initiative towards modern competitive multi-modal water transport system with best practices and service consistence with current global standards, the NIWA boss said.

Adetola revealed further that the huge infrastructural deficit grossly affected the waterways transport system in Nigeria.

He said the improvement in the institutional structure and features of waterways and its associated public utilities are essential to attain economic growth, he said.