The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Dr George Moghalu says the agency has achieved a lot under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, thus contributing a lot to the Nigerian economy.
Moghalu made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday, while speaking to State House Correspondents, after he met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said despite some challenges that crop up sometimes, the National Inland Waterways Authority would continue to ensure the nation’s waterways are passable all year round, so as to further boost the economy.
“Yes, there may be challenges, but challenges are there for man to overcome and we’re doing our best with the support we’ve been receiving from Mr. President and from our ministers and our ministry, leaders in our ministry, Permanent Secretary, everybody.
“We have been achieving reasonable success and we intend to sustain it until we actualize our desired ambition, which is to ensure that our waterways are all year round navigable to ensure that the potentials that abound in that sector of the economy, the maritime sector, is kind of explored and exploited for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Flooding Challenges
On how to address flooding challenges in the country, Moghalu said the agency would continue to clear drainages as well as intensify sensitization against blocking of waterways.
“That challenge is there. Proactively, what we are doing is to first of all sensitize the people, identify the critical areas and get people to know what will happen with time. With regards to clearing, yes, water hyacinths are being cleared on a regular basis, wrecks are removed, channels that are blocked, we do everything we can, within the limits of our resources to open up those channels so that we can have easy flow of water during this period.
“Wrecks, even floating debris are all being removed at various locations across the entire country, as we identify them, we do the basic survey and once we identify them, we set the process in motion to remove them.
“We’re doing some now as we keep identifying them, and you know these things like hyacinth, like wrecks, like floating debris, are not fixed items that you will say ‘I will remove now and it won’t be there again.’ You can remove a wreck tomorrow and by next tomorrow, another wreck will come. What are these wrecks? Broken down vessels that are condemned, logs and what have you. So as we identify them, using surveys, identify the coordinates, the next thing we do is to set in motion the process of removing them.
“As we speak, procurement processes have been concluded and some are being removed while as we identify, we set in motion the process of removing. We see them as a challenge and we are attacking them,” he explained.
He gave assurances that the water bill that has generated controversy will see the light at the end of the day.
“National Assembly winding up does not mean that the country is winding up, it’s a continuum. If they are not able to finish whatever they have to do this time around, the next Assembly will continue and complete it.
“The important thing is that bills that are meant for the benefit of our people will be looked at from that perspective and addressed. If this Assembly can’t finish, the next Assembly will continue, that’s why the government is a continuum,” he said.
Onitsha Port
The Managing Director announced that economic activities would soon increase at the concessioned Onitsha- River Port in Anambra State, that big cargoes would soon berth at the port.
He said that discussions were ongoing for the concession of Baro Port and as well as the Oguta and Lokoja Ports that are still under construction in order to reduce pressure from the government.
According to him, “For Onitsha river port, we have successfully concessioned and handed over to Universal Elysium, a company that is partnering with the Port of Antwerp for the next 30 years.
“Now, because of limited resources and to reduce pressure on the government, we opened up discussion with other interested organizations, unsolicited proposals have come for the concessioning of Baro, for the concessioning of Oguta and Lokoja, though still under construction.
“So, we are discussing it with them. The advantage here is that it will reduce pressure from government, these people own this port, complete the port, put the port to use and pay royalty to the government. So, it has a lot of advantages. And we’re working conscientiously on that.
“As we speak, we have finished fencing the Oguta river port. And we’re doing little by little, depending on resources available to put in place some basic infrastructure that is required for a port to operate. Same is applicable to Lokoja. So, we’re taking it from two perspectives; completing the building by government and concession or concession so that the new concessionaire can complete the ports and put it to effective use,” he added.
Confidence Okwuchi
