Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA, Munirudeen Oyebamiji

As part of long term measures to curb the worsening cargo and vessel congestion at the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports both in Lagos, the newly appointed Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA, Munirudeen Oyebamiji has pleaded with the Federal Government to commence the dredging of the waterways and channels at the eastern ports.

Speaking at the 2023 conference and awards organised by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria AMJON, held in Lagos, on the topic: “Developing Nigeria’s waterways infrastructure for effective movement of goods and services”, Oyegbamiji said that making the eastern ports’ channels navigable remains the most viable option towards addressing the perennial congestion in the two biggest seaports in Lagos on a long term basis.

Oyebamiji who was represented at conference and awards with theme: “Rebuilding Nigeria’s economy towards Viable Trans-Border Trade” by the Authority’s General Manager, Business Development, Surveyor Olumide Adetola, insists that developing critical port infrastructure remains the best approach towards making the seaports viable and efficient.  

“The Federal Government needs to focus on dredging the waterways in the eastern part of the country to enable businessmen directly berth goods at the eastern ports such as Onne, Port Harcourt and Calabar, among others”, the MD said.

He also clarified that NIWA, NIMASA and NPA are not in any conflict with one another regarding their duties, saying it had been made easier to function following the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The new NIWA-boss however regretted that the nation’s waterways resources are grossly underutilised and underdeveloped.

“In order to elicit efficient, prudent and profitable utilisation of the waterways transport system, the Federal Government needs to transform the waterways infrastructure facilities in line with shared vision and initiative towards modern competitive multi-modal water transport system with best practices and services consistent with current global standards.

“The huge infrastructural deficit grossly affects the waterways transport system in Nigeria. The improvement in the institutional structure and features of waterways and its associated public utilities are essential to attain economic growth”, Oyebamiji opined.

A high point of the conference and awards, was the presentation of a merit award to the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of NIWA, Mr. Jibril Dadau. The award was in recognition of his immense contributions as a Corporate Media Manager in projecting the image of NWA and Nigeria’s maritime industry sector as a whole.