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Transportation Minister commends NIWA MD, commissions Patrol Boats

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, on Friday, visited the National Inland Waterways Authority’s Area Office in Port Harcourt where he commissioned three patrol boats and 32- seater ferry boat to enhance operational efficiency as well as encourage water transportation in the Eastern Zone.

The Minister who is a former General Manager of the agency commended the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, for the giant strides attained, saying: “Seriously, MD, l am happy I came here today. If didn’t come, I would not have known the strides you have achieved. Without doubts, I think you have made the greatest impacts of all the Managing Directors that have served the Authority”. Your tenure has moved the Authority from level 5 to Level 9″.

He described inland waterways transportation as the cheapest and safest means of moving goods and persons and key to development of any country, especially that endowed with water.

Furthermore, the Minister observed that Nigeria is blessed in that regard as 28 States of the Federation can be accessed by water, hence the need to develop the sector.

While promising to provide support in any capacity, he called on the MD of NIWA to quickly operationalize the Marina Area Office in Lagos which has been identified as a hub for trans- shipping cargoes from Lagos through the Intercoastal routes like Warri and Onitsha.