By Seun Ibiyemi
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has commended the acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Dr Kevin Okonna, for fostering a strong framework of dialogue and cooperation to enhance sustainable safety on the nation’s inland waterways.
The Minister made this statement during a two-day Safety Awareness Workshop for Boat Operators and Users, titled Harnessing the Opportunities of Marine and Blue Economy with Safety of Inland Waterways Transportation in Perspective, held in Oron, Akwa Ibom State. He noted that reducing boat accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways remains a primary focus for his ministry.
Represented by the Deputy Director of Cabotage and Shipping Development, Ekanem Selia, the Minister reiterated that safety on the nation’s inland waterways is a shared responsibility.
He commended Dr Okonna, stating that the stakeholder engagement organised by the academy was timely and instrumental in establishing a solid platform for dialogue and collaboration to reinforce safety measures.
“This is a crucial stakeholder engagement; it is well-timed and plays a fundamental role in establishing a strong foundation for dialogue and cooperation, ensuring lasting safety on our waterways.
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with its agencies—the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron—is committed to promoting safety, as reflected in the theme of this event: Harnessing the Opportunities of Marine and Blue Economy with the Safety of Inland Waterways Transportation in Perspective.”
“Safety on our inland waterways is a matter of collective concern, and regulating operations to minimise boat accidents is a top priority for the ministry. Events such as this demonstrate our dedication to fulfilling that mandate,” the Minister stated.
In his address, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, highlighted the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Represented by the authority’s General Manager for Marine, Engr Dakio Horsfall, Oyebamiji stressed NIWA’s unwavering commitment to unlocking the full benefits of the nation’s waterways.
“Our country is blessed with an extensive inland waterway network spanning over 10,000 kilometres, yet only about 3,000 kilometres are navigable throughout the year.
These waterways present enormous opportunities for driving economic growth in multiple sectors, including trade, tourism, fisheries, energy, and industrial development.
“However, to fully tap into these prospects, we must collectively tackle the safety challenges that continue to hinder the optimal utilisation of our inland waterways.
At NIWA, our mission is clear: we are determined to harness the full potential of our waterways through capital and maintenance dredging, river training works, and the development of ports, piers, jetties, ramps, and navigational aids.
“Furthermore, our ongoing initiatives, such as the removal of water hyacinths, wreck clearance, bank stabilisation, and the introduction of modern mapping, charting, and buoyage systems, are all geared towards fostering a safer, more efficient, and fully navigable inland waterway network,” Oyebamiji stated.
The NIWA chief also expressed concern that unsafe water transport not only disrupts businesses and discourages investment but, more importantly, puts lives at risk.
He maintained that, through collaboration and strategic interventions, Nigeria’s inland waterways can still be positioned as a major player in the global maritime industry.
“Despite these efforts, safety concerns remain a significant obstacle to achieving a thriving marine and blue economy. Unsafe water transport not only disrupts businesses and discourages investment but, more critically, endangers lives. However, I firmly believe that with collaboration and strategic initiatives, we can overcome these challenges and establish Nigeria as a key force in the global maritime industry.”
“I commend the management and staff of MAN-Oron for facilitating this engagement and providing an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and partnership building. I encourage all participants to contribute actively as we seek innovative solutions and best practices to shape the future of inland waterway transportation in Nigeria.”
“I wish to underline that safety is a shared responsibility—one that extends beyond government agencies to include private sector stakeholders, boat operators, passengers, local communities, and the general public.
Together, through sustained collaboration, investment, and regulatory enforcement, we can ensure a secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable inland waterway transport system,” he concluded.