Shagari unveils blueprint to modernise inland waterways, upgrade jetties, attract investors

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint to modernise Nigeria’s inland waterways through massive infrastructure renewal, improved safety standards, expansion of jetty facilities and increased private sector investment.

Shagari disclosed the reform agenda on Wednesday during an inspection tour of NIWA projects and facilities at the Authority’s Lagos Area Office, Marina, where he led members of the newly inaugurated Governing Board alongside the Managing Director, Engr. Yusuf Gerie, on an assessment of operations.

L-R: Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari; Engr. Sarat Braimah and Engr. Yusuf Gerie during the tour

He said the visit marked the beginning of a nationwide evaluation of NIWA’s assets and programmes aimed at identifying critical infrastructure gaps and fast-tracking reforms needed to reposition inland water transportation as a viable alternative to the country’s overstretched road network.

According to the Board Chairman, one of the Board’s earliest decisions was to embark on a comprehensive review of NIWA’s facilities across the federation to determine areas requiring urgent rehabilitation and expansion.

He disclosed that budgetary provisions had already been made to rehabilitate dilapidated offices and jetties nationwide while constructing additional terminals in strategic locations to accommodate growing passenger and cargo traffic.

“We have made provisions in our budget to rehabilitate our offices and jetties nationwide. Our objective is to ensure that every NIWA facility is functional, presentable and capable of delivering efficient services to Nigerians,” Shagari said.

He explained that the blueprint also places strong emphasis on improving safety on Nigeria’s waterways, noting that many boats currently operating across the country have become obsolete and no longer meet acceptable safety standards.

To reverse the trend, Shagari said NIWA would gradually phase out unsafe and ageing vessels while promoting the deployment of modern boats equipped with improved safety features.

Local boat manufacturing

He added that the Authority would collaborate with indigenous boat builders and private investors to expand the availability of safer vessels and strengthen local capacity in the maritime industry.

The Board Chairman further revealed plans to intensify enforcement against illegal jetties and non-compliant operators through closer collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

According to him, stricter enforcement of operational guidelines will reduce accidents, improve regulatory compliance and restore public confidence in water transportation.

Beyond infrastructure and safety, Shagari identified private sector participation as a critical pillar of the Authority’s reform agenda.

He called on investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in jetty development, dredging, ferry services, inland ports, boat construction and other areas of the inland waterways value chain.

He stressed that government alone could not unlock the enormous economic potential of Nigeria’s waterways, adding that stronger public-private partnerships would accelerate infrastructure development, create jobs and improve service delivery.

The Board Chairman also said NIWA was exploring new strategies to boost its internally generated revenue through improved stakeholder engagement and operational efficiency while continuing to receive government support for strategic projects.

He noted that a modern inland waterways system would ease pressure on congested highways, lower logistics costs, facilitate the movement of goods and agricultural produce, improve regional connectivity and support the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Earlier, NIWA Managing Director Engr. Yusuf Gerie said the Board’s inspection tour was designed to provide firsthand knowledge of operations and guide policy decisions that would improve efficiency across the Authority.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for assembling a team of experienced professionals to reposition NIWA and drive reforms in the inland waterways sector.

In her welcome remarks, the Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, described Lagos as the nation’s busiest inland waterways hub and reaffirmed the office’s commitment to promoting safety, regulatory compliance, infrastructure development and efficient service delivery.

She expressed confidence that the Board’s visit would accelerate ongoing reforms and strengthen the Authority’s efforts to build a safer, more efficient and globally competitive inland waterways transport system.

Also speaking, Board Member Captain Tajudeen Alao urged water transport operators, security agencies, investors and other stakeholders to support NIWA’s transformation agenda through compliance with safety regulations and sustained collaboration.

Industry observers believe that if fully implemented, NIWA’s reform blueprint could significantly improve inland water transportation, reduce road congestion, lower the cost of moving passengers and cargo, stimulate investment in the blue economy and position Nigeria’s waterways as a major driver of national economic growth.