National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has appealed to the National Assembly to support the agency with adequate funding to successfully execute its plan to dredge 2,000 kilometers of inland waterways.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, made the appeal while defending the agency’s 2024 budget, which stands at over ₦34.3 billion, before the Joint Committee on Inland Waterways.
According to him, the project is capital-intensive; however, the current budget allocation is insufficient.
He, therefore, urged the committee to support NIWA in securing additional funding to successfully execute this crucial project for the development of inland waterways in Nigeria.
Mr. Bola Oyebamiji further stated that with an efficiently managed and well-funded Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the agency would play a crucial role in reducing the unemployment rate, investing in agricultural activities, and contributing significantly to national security for the benefit of all Nigerians.
As such, the Managing Director appealed to the committee to use its constitutional authority to support the agency by ensuring adequate funding.
This, he said, would enable NIWA to operate at full capacity, achieve its objectives, and improve the country’s internally generated revenue.
Supporting the point, the Senate Committee Chairman of Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshenlokun assured that the Committee was ready to support the Agency to improve its revenue generation initiatives and revamp the economic stability to achieve sustainable development in Nigeria.
Most of the Senators and members who attended the sitting supported the Agency in its derive to achieve 34 billion naira this year but urged to look in to the issue of flooding in the country advising Government to take measures ahead but not to resort giving palliatives to victims of flooding.
COV/Bashir M
