The Honourable Minister Of Transportation, Engr Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has unveiled the the Navigational Charts of the Lower River Niger from Lokoja in Kogi State to Burutu in Delta State.
The Minister during the unveiling revealed that the Navigational charts cover 594KM (321 Nautical Miles) with a total survey area of 1719.8 Square Kilometers.
Sambo said the project is in tandem with the statutory responsibilities and objectives of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
He said the project would boost the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government towards the development and operation of an efficient and safe Inland Waterways Transportation Network.
“A well-developed and efficient Inland Water Transportation is necessary for an integrated and functional multi–modal transportation system, whose major pillar is dependent upon accurate and timely hydrographic surveys/charts.
“The objective of this Project is to provide direct maritime linkages within Nigeria and between African countries, thereby catalyzing Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), creating highly needed jobs, and boosting internal as well as intra – African trade.
“The US economy today is supported by revenues in excess of $70b from 600 million tons of cargo transported through its inland waterways, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, building and growing Agro-industrial communities along the waterway channels and thus spreading economic prosperity throughout the length and breadth of its waterways network.
“The USA’s waterways and multi-modal transportation network provide a competitive edge in global markets. No wonder, its corn and soybean farmers are the most efficient in the world!
“Nigeria is blessed with an 800-km coastline and over 10,000-km of inland waterways that potentially confers it with such maritime power that in itself alone, can transform this country into a great and prosperous place on earth!
“I would like to affirm the Federal Ministry of Transportation’s commitment to the successful attainment of the overall objective of this Project in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the holistic and sustainable development of the maritime sector and the Inland Waterways in particular.
“This laudable initiative of Sealink Promotional Company Limited with funding from the NEXIM and African Export–Import Banks and the actual survey exercise conducted jointly by the Nigerian Navy and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, is worthy of a national recognition and reward. It is an effort never before undertaken in the history of our country.
“On this note, I want to specifically express my gratitude and that of the Ministry to the Managing Directors of NEXIM Bank and AfriExim Bank for providing the necessary funds for the execution of this Project, the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority for their collaborative efforts that ensured the successful execution of this Project, and I look forward to more of this effort to extend the Hydrographic Survey of Inland Waterways nationwide.
“At this juncture and saving the best for the last as they say in common parlance, may I proudly thank my own dear elder sister Anty Mrs Dabney Shall – Holma, the Chairperson of Sealink Promotional Company Limited for her extraordinary patriotism and commitment towards the growth of Inland Waterway Transportation in Nigeria.
“Her commitment to this project will inspire other Private Sector Investors to see the abundant opportunities in the Nigerian inland waterways sector.
“While congratulating all critical stakeholders on this auspicious unveiling, please rest assured of our continued commitment and support. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and God bless you all. Amen,” he said.