World Environment Day: NIWA Reaffirms Commitment To Clean, Safe Waterways

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining clean, safe and sustainable inland waterways as Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day.

In a statement issued at the agency’s headquarters in Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIWA, Umar Yusuf Girei, said the authority remains focused on protecting the nation’s waterways while promoting environmental sustainability and urban resilience.

The 2026 World Environment Day celebration, themed “Urbanisation and Climate Change: Building Resilient Cities for a Sustainable Future,” highlights the environmental challenges associated with rapid urban growth and climate change.

Girei noted that cities across the country are increasingly expanding around waterways, which continue to serve as important centres of commerce, culture and economic activities. However, he warned that unchecked urbanisation places significant pressure on the environment, resulting in rising temperatures, flooding and erosion.

According to him, inland waterways represent critical natural infrastructure for building resilient cities, as properly managed rivers and channels serve as effective drainage pathways that help reduce flooding while providing a cleaner and low-carbon means of transporting goods and passengers.

He reiterated NIWA’s commitment to responsible dredging activities, protection of riverbanks and sustained efforts to keep waterways free from pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal.

The NIWA boss also called on Nigerians to support environmental protection efforts by disposing of waste responsibly, planting trees along riverbanks, reporting illegal dredging and encroachment activities, and embracing environmentally sustainable practices.

Girei stressed that environmental conservation is a collective responsibility and cannot be left to government alone.

He further encouraged greater adoption of water transportation as a safer, cleaner and more sustainable alternative to road transport, noting that efficient use of inland waterways would contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions and strengthening climate resilience across the country.

“As we mark World Environment Day, we must all play our part in safeguarding our environment and ensuring that our waterways remain viable for future generations,” he stated.