INTERVIEW
 |
| MD NIWA, Mr Danladi Ibrahim |
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has restated its
commitment to starting a regional ferry service from Lagos, Nigeria to Tema in
Ghana, since it disclosed plans of the proposed operation.
commitment to starting a regional ferry service from Lagos, Nigeria to Tema in
Ghana, since it disclosed plans of the proposed operation.
Managing Director of NIWA, Mr Danladi Ibrahim, in this interview, said
discussions on the proposed regional ferry services had advanced with the investor
and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, with hopes for approval by the
transportation minister.
discussions on the proposed regional ferry services had advanced with the investor
and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, with hopes for approval by the
transportation minister.
Ibrahim told OnepageAfrica that NIWA had continued to provide necessary
infrastructure to boost inland waterways transportation, as evident in the
completed river ports and those still being constructed.
infrastructure to boost inland waterways transportation, as evident in the
completed river ports and those still being constructed.
He also talks on other important issues as they concern the Authority.
How far has NIWA gone with
development of the river ports?
development of the river ports?
The Baro Port is completed and it will be a platform for operations to
the North. This is important because it will ease cargo carriage on the Inland
Waterways and for trans-shipment.
the North. This is important because it will ease cargo carriage on the Inland
Waterways and for trans-shipment.
We are through with Onitsha, and the concession is going to be any
moment from now. Lokoja Port is about 58 per cent completed. The cargo handling equipment for Baro Port are
going to be acquired from this 2016 budget; that means it is going to be an
operational port at the time the 2016
budget is implemented.
moment from now. Lokoja Port is about 58 per cent completed. The cargo handling equipment for Baro Port are
going to be acquired from this 2016 budget; that means it is going to be an
operational port at the time the 2016
budget is implemented.
When you have these platforms, then you can carry cargo from Lagos to
Onitsha to Baro. That means trans- shipment will be completed. We have also
gone further to seek for private sector participation in the carriage of cargo
from Lagos to Onitsha. There is a Chinese company called China Habour
Engineering that is interested, and we have met with them and we are expecting
their technical report to commence business.
Onitsha to Baro. That means trans- shipment will be completed. We have also
gone further to seek for private sector participation in the carriage of cargo
from Lagos to Onitsha. There is a Chinese company called China Habour
Engineering that is interested, and we have met with them and we are expecting
their technical report to commence business.
How are you encouraging private sector investment in the sub-sector?
In order to set the pace for the private sector to invest and to
encourage water transportation, NIWA has gone on to purchase about three
ferries within the present administration. We have also added some security
patrol boats to our fleet to also enhance the safety of cargo and passenger.
encourage water transportation, NIWA has gone on to purchase about three
ferries within the present administration. We have also added some security
patrol boats to our fleet to also enhance the safety of cargo and passenger.
What is the latest development with respect to enhancing jetties?
Within the present administration, we have built about five new jetties
in Pategi in Kwara , Lubego in Niger State, Umuasha in Nasarawa State and then
Buruku in Benue State.
in Pategi in Kwara , Lubego in Niger State, Umuasha in Nasarawa State and then
Buruku in Benue State.
Enlightenment campaigns on
safety for users of jetties?
safety for users of jetties?
We have a safety campaign programme that even covered Lagos. The essence
is to sensitize stakeholders particularly the rural passengers, on the
importance of safety on the waterways by insisting that life jackets be worn by
every passenger.
is to sensitize stakeholders particularly the rural passengers, on the
importance of safety on the waterways by insisting that life jackets be worn by
every passenger.
Also, we ensure that these vessels are not operated at night,
because most of the boat mishap happens at night. And we have succeeded tremendously
because the number of boat mishaps has reduced drastically, and we are
continuing with that campaign. Our next port of call is Kaduna State and now we
will be in continuance of the safety campaigns.
because most of the boat mishap happens at night. And we have succeeded tremendously
because the number of boat mishaps has reduced drastically, and we are
continuing with that campaign. Our next port of call is Kaduna State and now we
will be in continuance of the safety campaigns.
Security measures to protect passengers and cargo?
Security is an issue governed by international convention. It has given
NIMASA the mandate to enforce. The ones that concern NIWA basically are about
three terminals-Lagos, Calabar and Warri, and all of them are in compliance.
NIMASA the mandate to enforce. The ones that concern NIWA basically are about
three terminals-Lagos, Calabar and Warri, and all of them are in compliance.
Right now, NIMASA has appointed a consultant to liaise with us and
ensure that all our platforms are really secured in line with international
standards. Just like the way you see our airports with screening facilities,
that is how it is going to be in all the platforms.
ensure that all our platforms are really secured in line with international
standards. Just like the way you see our airports with screening facilities,
that is how it is going to be in all the platforms.
What about your drive to enforce new regulations for water transport
operators?
operators?
For now, the project pilot is Lagos. We have met with Lagos State
Government in that regard and we are collaborating with them to have an
effective enforcement. And after 60 days, we wish to commence our operations in
this regard.
Government in that regard and we are collaborating with them to have an
effective enforcement. And after 60 days, we wish to commence our operations in
this regard.
Tackling water hyacinths?
We have these machines in several of our formations but beside that, the
water hyacinth menace is an international issue because these waste flow from
other countries to Nigeria. We intend in this 2016 to have an international
conference on how to tackle water hyacinths
water hyacinth menace is an international issue because these waste flow from
other countries to Nigeria. We intend in this 2016 to have an international
conference on how to tackle water hyacinths
What about training for NIWA staff?
We have been doing a lot of training. In fact, we have sponsored five
people to be trained in the UK and so, we can boast of in-house marine
surveyors.
people to be trained in the UK and so, we can boast of in-house marine
surveyors.
On multiple taxation by both NIWA and State Governments
With the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) we have met with the
Governor on how we can streamline these taxes and we are succeeding. And we are
going to see the same replicated in other states.
Governor on how we can streamline these taxes and we are succeeding. And we are
going to see the same replicated in other states.
