NIWA To Upgrade Jetties, Phase Out Unsafe Boats Nationwide

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced plans to establish additional jetties across the country, rehabilitate existing infrastructure, and phase out unsafe boats as part of efforts to improve safety and efficiency on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, disclosed this during a media briefing in Lagos following a facility tour of the Authority’s projects and operations within the Lagos Area Office.

According to Shagari, the visit enabled the Board to assess ongoing operations, identify infrastructure gaps, and develop strategies to strengthen inland water transportation nationwide.

He said the Board had made budgetary provisions to rehabilitate dilapidated offices and jetties while constructing additional jetties, particularly in Lagos, to meet the growing demand for water transport.

“We have made provisions in our budget to address infrastructure challenges across our offices and jetties nationwide. We want all NIWA facilities to be functional, presentable and capable of supporting efficient service delivery,” Shagari said.

The Board Chairman expressed concern over the continued use of ageing and unsafe boats by some operators, describing many of the vessels currently in operation as outdated and unsuitable for modern water transportation.

He added that NIWA is collaborating with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, to strengthen enforcement of water transport regulations, tackle the proliferation of illegal jetties, and improve compliance with safety standards.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NIWA, Engr. Yusuf Gerie, said the Board’s visit was aimed at gaining firsthand knowledge of activities within the Lagos Area Office and identifying practical measures to improve operations across the country’s inland waterways.

Gerie commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for constituting what he described as a team of experienced professionals and technocrats to reposition the Authority and drive the Renewed Hope Agenda in the marine and blue economy sector.

In her welcome address, the Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, described Lagos as a strategic hub for inland water transportation in Nigeria and reaffirmed the office’s commitment to promoting safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and infrastructure development on the nation’s busiest waterways.

She expressed confidence that the Board’s visit would further strengthen efforts to improve service delivery and enhance the Authority’s overall performance.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Captain Tajudeen Alao called on water transport operators, security agencies, private investors, and other stakeholders to collaborate with NIWA in advancing safer, more efficient, and sustainable inland water transportation across the country.