Nigeria needs smart plans that are specific, measurable, acceptable, realistic and timed plans for it to maximise its Inland Water Transport (IWT) potential.
Mrs Seyi Oluyede, Managing Director, Niger-Benue Transport Company has said.
Oluyede gave the advice at the Nigeria Chamber of Shipping (NCS) December 2023 virtual breakfast meeting on Tuesday.
The breakfast meeting has the theme, “Economic Impact of an Integrated Transport System”.
She noted that such plans should cover areas such as: water way infrastructure investment and implementation scheme, fleet modernisation investment scheme which should be through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
She included financing plan for both schemes, taking into account; sources of finance, appropriate fiscal and taxation policy, effective user, charge system, national revenues allocation and collection system and private sector involvement (PPP)
She added that there should be adequate management system for IWT within an appropriate institutional and legal framework.
“The role and economic benefits of IWT in global logistics cannot be overemphasised, especially in the export market, pertaining to the global trade for grains and other commodities.
“An efficient IWT is an economic engine wheel. Finally, one barge on the inland waterways can move as many as 70 tractor trailers or 16 train cars.
“Nigeria needs to generate the cargo/through puts and be intentional about the development of the IWT system,” she said.
Using China and Netherlands as an examples, she noted that the two countries were able to achieve effective IWT usage because they invested in infrastructure, developed and implemented policies to aid the system.
Oluyede said the opportunities inherent in enhancing IWT in Nigeria are enormous, listing some as to provide an excellent hinterland connection for seaport, cost efficiency, reduce congestion, stimulate international and regional domestic trade and others.
She said listed some of the challenges affecting Nigeria as lack of proper awareness, hydropower utilisation, upstream, security threats and equipment standardisation.
She said that to mitigate these measures, there was need to conduct strong marketing and public relations campaign for sector, hydropower dams could be useful for discharge regulation specifically at low water periods.
She listed some of its strengths as job creation and economic development, cargo capacity, environmental sustainability, transport capacity of IWT would very easily be increased.
She said that Nigeria had enough of navigable waterways that should be harnessed to ensure cargo could be generated.
“Where is Nigeria’s triple “R” model blue print, the Master plan for Transport Infrastructure (MITI) by Julius Berger 2002 and the 25 years Nigerian Rail blue print?
“There are already existing river ports in the country: Onitsha, now concessioned to Universal Elysium Consortium for 30years – logistics trading center, container; Ajaokuta for coal and Steel products; Baro – Agricultural/ general cargo.
“Others like Makurdi – Containers, agricultural products and cargo; Lokoja- general cargo and cement; Warri: River- sea terminal; Port-Harcout: River- sea terminal and Oguta river port.
She noted that all these show that the country would not be starting from scratch.
Alhaji Aminu Umar, President, NCS, noted that there was pressing need for a cohesive and efficient transportation network that harmonises various modes of transportation, whether by road, rail, water, including air.
According to Umar, represented by Mrs Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, Director General, NCS, such integration not only streamlines logistics but also reduces operational costs, enhances connectivity, and stimulates investment opportunities across industries.
“Our nation’s economic development hinges significantly on our ability to synchronise these transportation networks, optimising their capabilities to support trade, bolster commerce, and drive socio-economic progress.
“The expansion and modernisation of our ports, the improvement of intermodal connectivity, and the adoption of innovative technologies are pivotal steps towards achieving this integrated system,” he said.
