The Federal Government through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, has unveiled the water transportation code.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, unveiled the code during his one-day working visit to the head office of the National Inland Waterways Authority in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
The minister also inaugurated several landmark projects aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities and safety standards of Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Oyetola said that the new regulatory code is expected to significantly standardize water transportation, minimize accidents, and provide a structured environment for potential investors.
He emphasised the critical role of the maritime sector in improving Nigeria’s balance of trade, strengthening the naira, and creating employment.
“The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is determined to maximize the comparative advantages of our maritime resources present in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
The former Osun State Governor commended NIWA’s management for their efforts in bringing this vital code to fruition.
“Other projects inaugurated include fifteen boats of varying capacities and purposes, designed to enhance surveillance, safety enforcement, and emergency response on Nigeria’s waterways”
“The fleet comprises three surveillance boats, five safety enforcement boats, a gun patrol boat, a 62-seater passenger boat as a pilot scheme to replace traditional wooden canoes, three water ambulances, and two hydrographic survey boats equipped with multi-beam echo sounders,” he said.
He said these initiatives fulfil the government’s commitment to ensuring that inland waterways are well-utilized for both cargo shipment and passenger transportation.
He also pledged to address both internal and external challenges impeding NIWA’s operations, ‘ensuring continuous improvement and expansion of navigable waterways,”
While discussing the ministry’s plans, the Minister revealed the goal to increase navigable waterways by at least 2,000 kilometres through comprehensive dredging.
He also mentioned the ongoing efforts to finalize the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, which aims to support the development of the maritime sector.
The minister charges the private sector to invest in and partner with the government, leveraging the numerous opportunities within the maritime industry to foster sustainable development.
“We would continue to create an enabling environment, develop supportive policies, and offer necessary assistance to grow the Inland Waterways segment,” he assured.
The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, represented by his deputy, Salifu Joel, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing the right person as NIWA’s MD.
“When we were coming here, our people asked where we were going, I told them we were going to a NIWA event. They asked, ‘Which one is NIWA?’ This means until now, no one knows NIWA. But we know NIWA now because the President has appointed the right person who is making an impact,” he explained.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, expressed gratitude to the minister for his support and guidance in driving organizational reforms and enhancing operational efficiency.
He outlined the agency’s proactive measures, including the implementation of education grants, promotion letters, and medical packages for staff, to boost morale and productivity.
Oyebamiji also highlighted NIWA’s initiatives in public engagement, emergency response, and enforcement, culminating in the launch of the first phase of water marshal initiatives.
“These efforts, coupled with the unveiling of the Transportation Code, he said, underscore NIWA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of inland water transportation,” he said.
