In order to attract private investment to boost the government’s Blue Economy program, the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has made efforts to strengthen security on waterways around the country.
Mr Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of NIWA, spoke during a tour of the Warri and Onitsha area offices, calling for greater private sector participation in the blue economy program in order to maximise the benefits for national development.
Oyebimiji also stated that NIWA is committed to revitalising the country’s economy by focussing on Public/Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives. “This initiative is part of our deliberate plans to open up new opportunities to maximised full economic potentials of the nation’s waterways.”
“The PPP is the way to go but we need people or investors, who have genuine intentions and purposes to enable us align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic recovery,” he told the crowd.
The agency’s boss tasked the personnel to meet expectations by working more in income creation, which may open up rooms to improve their wellbeing. He admonished the workforce against indolence and laxity, since he was committed to employee care and revenue generation.
According to him, staff members must be disciplined and committed to the Authority’s growth and development.
The MD also informed the team that they would receive frequent training and retraining to ensure optimal performance. Oyebamij was said to have inspected the Onitsha river port complex, the authority’s yard, the beach, and NIWA’s freshly completed concrete jetty.
Bottom Line
By focusing on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), the initiative aims to unlock the economic potential of the country’s vast waterways, which could significantly boost national development, create jobs, and stimulate revenue generation.
The emphasis on improving waterway security is a critical step, as insecurity in Nigeria’s waterways has been a major obstacle to harnessing their full economic potential.
By addressing this issue, NIWA can help make inland waterways more attractive to investors, ensuring safe passage for goods and services. Moreover, increased private sector involvement could lead to the development of infrastructure, such as ports and jetties, further boosting economic activities.
