A recent study on development of selected inland waterways bodies by the Maritime Organisation of West and Central African (MOWCA) has revealed that inland waterways are a vital, yet an under utilized asset for economic development in West and Central Africa.
A recent study by the World Maritime University put the number of fatalities in inland waterways in sub-Saharan Africa at a staggering 8,072 between 2001 and 2021.
This alarming statistics call for the urgent need to enhance safety and security measures and improve Infrastructure of our inland waterways.
But despite these challenges, the potential of developing inland waterways are huge.
Despite these obvious challenges, member states are encouraged to tap into the vast opportunities. Inland waterways are not only cost effective, they remain the most environmentally sustainable mode of transportation , particularly for a region with limited road infrastructure.
By facilitating the movement of goods and people, inland waterways can enhance trade connectivity, stimulate local economies, promote food security and distribution of agricultural products. The high volume of inland waterways traffic is a testament to its critical role in the West and Central African region .
For instance, it is estimated that a staggering 54,000 passengers utilize the waterways daily in Abidjan.
A 2020 study also revealed that 3,000 passengers ply the Ikorodu to Ebutte – Ero route on a daily basis.
If we add figures from other littoral states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, your guess is as good as mine about the high traffic on the waterways transportation in Nigeria.
Despite these prospects, investment in the sector is low as reports highlight under investment in Inland water transport Infrastructure.
With the unveiling of the policy document of Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy last week by Adegboyega Oyetola, it is expected that the new helmsman at the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, will explore the prospects and challenges as it affects inland waterways administration in Nigeria.
The Economic Community of Central African States ( ECCAS) has uneqivocally recognized the pivotal role of inland waterways in achieving regional intergration and economic prosperity. Oyetola and his team in the Ministry must invest heavily in inland waterways infrastructure if the regional aspirations must be met.
One very disturbing trend in NIWA is the issue of safety and security.
NIWA must take the campaign to rural communities .
Several lives have been lost to the poor appreciation of safety protocols on our waterways, leading to avoidable accidents. It is also important that NIWA invests in regular maintenance dredging of our waterways. And the last, but not of least importance, is the acquisition of state-of-the-art river crafts. NIWA must set the standard in providing its numerous customers with luxury best ferry boats that are in tune with International best practices.