Federal Government to Open Up Interstate Water Transportation to Reduce Travel Costs

The Federal Government has announced its intention to open up interstate water transportation systems in response to the high cost of fares following the removal of fuel subsidies.

It pointed out that 28 states in the country are navigable, making the decision to explore interstate water transportation more feasible.

Bola Oyebamiji, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), stated that the Federal Government is committed to efficiently managing waterways to contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In his words, “Certainly, in this period of high transportation costs, we are exploring waterways as a means of transportation.

With 28 out of 36 states being navigable, we can enhance our water transportation, and you can rest assured that we are going to work on that and make use of our waterways.”

“We will ensure that our waterways are efficiently managed so that we can add value to our GDP. We are going to maximise the opportunities of our waterways.

Apart from transportation, there are many benefits in our water systems that we can tap into. We are going to ensure that we add value to our waterways.”

Oyebamiji also emphasised that the economic reforms implemented by President Bola Tinubu will eventually benefit all Nigerians.

He stated, “Nigerians have forgotten that economic challenges have been existing in the country for a very long time. Since we took over from the British, we have not gotten our economic policy right. This is the only time that we have gotten our economic policy right. If you look back, we have had a lot of challenges, and to correct it, it will take time. The suffering might be significant now, but I am very sure that our people will have the last laugh.”

The government’s move to leverage water transportation and address the high cost of travel is a step towards improving the transportation system in Nigeria and reducing the economic burden on the citizens.

Source: The Nation Newspaper