The Nigerian Navy, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Nigeian Export and import (NEXIM) Bank, have begun the survey and charting for the lower River Niger and River Benue for enhanced waterway port to stimulate socio-commercial activities in the country.<\/p>\n
The project will open up the country\u2019s inland waterways to 25 African countries and Europe in transportation and trade connectivity, Mrs Dabney Shell-Holma, Chairperson, Sealinks Consortium, one of the handlers of the project, said on Wednesday in Lokoja.<\/p>\n
According to her, the project, covering 932,000 square kilometers, will provide jobs for more than 5,000 Nigerian youths.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am sure British Government will be celebrating what we are doing here today and will say, Nigeria has finally woken up from sleep. It\u2019s a fact that 25 countries within the sub-African region are crippled because of lack of waterways, thereby making maritime or shipping business very difficult\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why I said Britain will celebrate this flag-off ceremony. For more than 10 years, we have been hoping to see this day and thanks be to God it\u2019s happening for real at Ajeokuta, the best port for the waterways\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSealinks Consortium is greatful to Afreximbank and NEXIM which have committed 750,000 dollar-grant to Improve Nigeria\u2019s inland waterways operations which when completed will reduce transportation challenges in Nigeria by 50 per cent and boost the nation\u2019s economy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mr George Muoghalu, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), reiterated NIWA\u2019s commitment to the successful execution of the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project is designed to directly improve the navigability of the nation\u2019s inland waterways and enhance the efficiency and safety of navigation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Muoghalu noted that the authority, among other things, had acquired two state-of-the-art hydrographic survey vessels to guarantee continuous survey of waterways, purchased 20 patrol boats and ambulances to enhance the safety of navigation on the highways.<\/p>\n
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Gambo, described the project as \u201cgovernment\u2019s statement\u201d towards expanding the nation\u2019s transportation system through waterways and improve the nation\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
He assured the Government of the navy\u2019s commitment towards bringing out world class chart that would meet international standard for maritime safety and national security<\/p>\n
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi also expressed happiness over the inauguration of the survey and charting of the lower Rivers Niger and Benue and described it as the \u201cpride of Kogi citizens,\u201d and Nigerians as a whole.<\/p>\n
Bello expressed confidence that the project, when completed would provide jobs to more Nigerians and turn around the nation\u2019s transportation and stimulate development.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Nigerian Navy, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Nigeian Export and import (NEXIM) Bank, have begun the survey and charting for the lower River Niger and River Benue for enhanced waterway port to stimulate socio-commercial activities in the country. The project will open up the country\u2019s inland waterways to 25 African countries and Europe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-economy"],"yoast_head":"\n