Inland waterways plays an essential role in economic development of a nation, specifically among inaccessible rural areas. Advantages such as: Enhancing economic opportunities, employment, Cost, Isolation reduction, Economic and Ecological sustainable transport solution among others, can not be overlooked in the contest to develop waterways.
Nigeria, with it's 2nd longest length of waterways in Africa stands greatly advantaged to the many benefits of inland water ways, this is because twenty-eight of the countries 36 states, can be reached through water, which equally links to five neighboring countries: Chad, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Niger. Nevertheless, exploiting this asset seemed not preeminent in past administration's quest for economic growth, hence it's previous neglect .
Nigeria, with it's 2nd longest length of waterways in Africa stands greatly advantaged to the many benefits of inland water ways, this is because twenty-eight of the countries 36 states, can be reached through water, which equally links to five neighboring countries: Chad, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Niger. Nevertheless, exploiting this asset seemed not preeminent in past administration's quest for economic growth, hence it's previous neglect .
According to the National
Inland waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigeria has an estimated
number of 10,000 kilometres waterways, of which if developed through
dredging, and provision of complementary facilities, should provide an all year
round navigation, and transportation of bulk cargo and passengers. It is perchance, in line with this thought, that the government launched the maintenance dredging of the 162km Ajaokuta (Kogi state) - Onitsha (Anambra state) waterways. Reports has it that this project is aimed at promoting multi-modal transport, and cheaper coastal services across twenty eight of Nigeria's 36 states.
Flagging off the initiative
on Friday, April 28th, 2017, Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi
Amechi, said the move is expected to engender increase in Nigeria's
Water Front value, and generate economic activities along the river banks, and
riverrine communities. “It is our hope to see the full concession of the
Onitsha River Port before the end of the year, completion of the Lokoja River
Port and supply of cargo handling equipment at Baro River Port". ..."With this, NIWA is poised to improve the navigability of the waterways, increase the value of water fronts and generate economic activities along the River banks as well as the riverine communities” . Mr. Amechi said.
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