NIWA to build more jetties in Lagos, says official

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says it will
construct more jetties to boost water transportation in Lagos.

The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Mr Mu’azu Sambo, told the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on that the jetties would be
built on Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

According to him, the jetties will help in providing
infrastructure for water transportation.

“NIWA has close to seven jetties in Lagos, owned by NIWA,
built by NIWA, managed by NIWA, for the purpose of aiding our water
transportation.

“Remember that jetties are like airports. Jetties are to
water transport what airports are to air transport; and therefore, they are the
most critical in terms of infrastructure.

“There is a large volume of passengers moving between
Maroko and Ikorodu; people who come from Ikorodu to Lagos to work.

“There is also movement between Ikorodu and CMS. So, these
jetties are helping in providing the infrastructure for water transportation in
Lagos.

“That is not to say, however, that, we do not require more
jetties, we do.

“Now, because of the limited resources of government, what
we have adopted is the policy of PPP, Public Private Partnership for
infrastructure development and enhancement.’’

Sambo said that the agency presently had about 126 jetties,
and described them as massive, even in terms of costs of maintenance.

The area manager stated that greater priority would be given
to areas like Liverpool and Coconut in Lagos, among others, in the construction
of the new jetties, while the CMS jetty would be given a world-class face-lift.