NIWA steps up maintenance dredging of Niger river

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) will be embarking on the maintenance dredging which is part of the project for the dredging of the water channels to ensure all year round navigation of the River Niger.

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Ameachi, conducted the flag off of the maintenance exercise on Friday April 28, 2017.

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, accompanied the minister to the Julius Berger Jetty, Ajaokuta, where the flag off held.

In a statement signed by NIWA’s Corporate Affairs General Manager in Lokoja, Mr Tayo Fadile, the primary purpose of the exercise, which is to ensure hitch-free navigation of the waterways, was reiterated.

It would be recalled that in 2009, former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in a bid to boost socio-economic activities through the waterways, flagged-off dredging of the lower River Niger and construction of seven additional seaports across the country.

The ports were to be located in Agenebode, Idah, Yenagoa, Baro, Lokoja, Aguta and Ogbabe.