NIWA Calls for Increased Investment in Inland Waterways to Unlock Blue Economy Potential

NIWA Calls for Increased Investment in Inland Waterways to Unlock Blue Economy Potential

By Our Correspondent

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has urged the Federal Government and private sector investors to significantly scale up investments in Nigeria’s inland waterways. This call was made at the 3rd EHINGBETI Blue Economy Hub in Lagos, where Engr. Sarat Braimah, Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, emphasized the importance of harnessing the nation’s water resources for economic growth and development.

Unlocking the Potential of Inland Waterways

Braimah noted that despite the enormous potential, Nigeria still lags behind global peers in utilizing its inland waterways for transport, trade, and local development. She highlighted that the country’s 28 littoral states, interconnected by navigable waters, present a huge opportunity for inter-regional trade and sustainable transport.

A Model for Success

Citing China’s rapid development as a model worth emulating, Braimah emphasized the need for targeted funding in critical infrastructure projects such as river dredging, port development, and navigational aids. These projects, she noted, are capital-intensive but essential to economic transformation.

Investing in Lasting Impact

Braimah stressed that institutional frameworks alone are not enough and that commensurate investment is necessary to drive growth. She urged leaders to invest in projects with lasting impact, such as river dredging, which can open up communities, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth.

Empowering Coastal Communities

The event highlighted the plight of Nigeria’s indigenous coastal communities, who remain sidelined and impoverished despite the country’s burgeoning maritime wealth. Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), Chairman of the 3rd Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub, slammed the persistent neglect of these communities and emphasized the importance of local knowledge and manpower in securing and developing the Blue Economy.