House committee on navy wants partnership with maritime stakeholders

• NIWA vows to overhaul water transportation to decongest roads
House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Navy has sought partnership with the Navy, sister agencies and other stakeholders to work towards enhancing and securing the maritime industry.

Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi stated this yesterday at a stakeholders meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, saying the House was considering what could be done to further consolidate the existing partnership with the Navy, sister agencies and maritime stakeholders.

He explained that one of the primary reasons for the meeting was to seek ways of improving maritime security, noting that the House would ensure that the command has an Air Base to increase maritime security surveillance.

“Our major concern is on security of the maritime industry and waterways which is one of the primary reasons for the meeting and how are we securing it to see improvement in the maritime security. We are considering what we can do to further consolidate that partnership going forward.

“There is need for them to have new platforms like Helicopters to ensure that the navy functions efficiently. The Eastern Naval Command has gone digital and the FOC has done well with his own tactical commanders of establishing the E-Administration,” he said.

Also, in a bid to ease travellers stress and decongest Nigerian roads, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has disclosed plans to renovate water transportation in the country.

Its Managing Director, George Moghalu, made this known when he visit the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V at his palace, adding that the overhaul would go a long way in boosting the nation’s economy.

He said Cross River and Akwa Ibom states would be its major points where the organisation would partner with private companies on water transportation to make travelling easier through the nation’s waterways.

Responding, the Obong of Calabar wondered why the country decided to abandon its water transportation, which was safer and less time consuming in the past.

He charged the management of NIWA to revive the sector so as to improve the country’s economy and reduce Nigerians the stress of using road, adding, “The inland waterways was the best transportation in those days because it was safer and one was always sure of the timing.”