The House Committee on National Inland Waterways has pledged legislative and increased budgetary allocation to the Authority to enable it complete Lokoja River Port in Kogi State.

During the Committee’s oversight visit to NIWA’s operational headquarters in Lokoja, the committee expressed optimism about the Authority’s future under Bola Oyebamiji as Managing Director and assured him of their commitment to facilitate necessary legislative and financial support.

The lawmakers pledged to work closely with NIWA to address the challenges facing the Authority towards creating a safer, more efficient, and economically viable water transport system Ojema Ojotu, chairman of the House Committee on NIWA, who led the delegation of seven committee members, highlighted the critical role of inland waterways in Nigeria’s transportation framework.

He said inland water has the potential to enhance connectivity, reduce road congestion, and stimulate economic growth even as he decried the recurring boat mishaps, flooding, and inadequate infrastructure.

He lauded the Bola Oyebamiji’s leadership for implementing various impactful initiatives including the decentralised safety campaign strategy, which involved extensive safety awareness programmes across its operational bases and engaging stakeholders, such as state commissioners of transportation to address insecurity and safety on waterways. The Authority’s proactive measures, including immediate visits to accident victims and communities, have built confidence among stakeholders and users of inland waterways.

Ojotu noted the need to modernise infrastructure such as inland ports, navigable channels and dredged waterways.