Nigerians Will Sustain Govt’s Water Transportation Reforms
—NIWA BOSS
By Godfrey Bivbere
 8th JAN 2007

President Olusegun Obasanjo recently ordered the Ministry of Transport to embark on reform of water transportation system. Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA), Engr. Zubairu Yakubu, in this interview speaks on the reforms, its benefits and his vision for the authority. Excerpts:

YOU have been appointed Managing Director of NIWA for a while now, what are the challenges facing the agency?

The greatest challenge in NIWA is the provision of efficient, safe, dependable water transportation. That is the essence of the creation of NIWA and the challenge has not been achieved yet. The question of water transportation has been on Nigerian map for the past 10-15 years but because of the determination and commitment of Mr. President, this thing is coming to reality now and I think it is a great achievement. The dredging of the lower River Niger is becoming a reality now, it is going to kick start viable water transport sector in Nigeria.

Do you think the project will be completed before May 29 when the present administration will hand over to its successor?

Actually, it will not be completed within the life time of this administration but when it is started, it will be supported. You see, Nigerians are very interesting people. If you give them a very viable project, they will support it and if you give them an elephant project, they will criticize it. I am sure that Nigerians will remain what they are, they will support this reforms that Mr. President is embarking upon because it is people oriented. It is going to enrich the people. You can not say any part of it is not people oriented; it is to the benefit of the population of Nigerians that the water transportation sector is developed. It is the cheapest, and the safest.

How soon should Nigerians expect a water transport system that would cater for both cargo and passengers’ traffic in the country?

That is an interesting question because right now, some skeletal ferry services are being rendered. You see, that is the essence of the dredging of the river. If you dredge the river, there will be adequate quantity of water flowing and with adequate depth. With that, you will be able to bring in bigger barges and water craft that can be sustainable. Once the dredging takes place, you will find out that cargoes can come in from the high seas, inside the inland waters and go beyond. That is the essence of the dredging, rather than using the small barges and canoes.

What is your vision for NIWA?

My vision for NIWA is first and foremost, to see an authority that can properly regulate the water transport sector, that can provide the enabling environment, provide the infrastructure but leave the operational areas of commercial activities to Nigerians; leave it to stakeholders. They will come together and benefit from the enabling environment and facilities you have provided. Do not go and say you are going to run ferry services between Warri and Burutu or between Warri and Onitsha. Leave it to Nigerians, let them come together and operate it.

They must however have to operate within an acceptable minimum standards, laws and regulations. That is what my dream for NIWA is.

What have you put in place to attract the private investors to water transport sector as it is generally believed that the economy should be private sector driven?

Those holding such opinion are quite right but it is not in the water transportation alone. Most of the ventures must be private sector driven if they must succeed.

I shall take you back to see our air transport services, if you remember when Nigeria Airways was there, there were a lot of problems. When it was de-regulated and private people were brought in, you find out that so many private ventures came in and you can go and take your choice.

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