Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a strategic partnership with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to unlock the state’s vast inland waterways potential for economic diversification, improved transportation, enhanced security, and large-scale job creation.
The governor made the pledge while receiving the Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, who led the Authority’s management team, including the Managing Director, Yusuf Umar Girie, on a courtesy visit in Abuja to strengthen collaboration on the sustainable development of inland waterways.
According to a statement issued by Shagari’s Media Aide, Musa Ubandawaki, the meeting centred on fostering stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and Kogi State to harness the enormous opportunities offered by inland waterways in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s Blue Economy policy.
Governor Ododo described Kogi as the nation’s confluence state with unrivalled strategic advantages in inland water transportation, stressing that his administration was determined to transform the state’s waterways into engines of economic growth and national development.
He said sustained investment in the waterways sector would stimulate agriculture, commerce, tourism, fisheries, logistics and industrialisation while creating employment opportunities and improving the socio economic wellbeing of citizens.
“Kogi occupies a unique strategic position in Nigeria’s inland waterways network, and we are determined to harness these natural assets for sustainable development.
“Our administration will work closely with NIWA to unlock investment opportunities, create jobs and improve the lives of our people,” the governor stated.
Ododo assured the NIWA Governing Board of his government’s readiness to provide the necessary institutional support for the development of modern river transport infrastructure, improved navigation, waterways safety and increased private sector participation.
He added that strengthening inland water transportation would reduce pressure on federal highways, lower transportation costs, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and commercial goods and stimulate economic activities across riverine communities.
Earlier, Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, called for a stronger partnership between the Federal Government and Kogi State to fully harness the state’s abundant inland waterways resources for national economic prosperity.
Shagari described Kogi as one of Nigeria’s most strategically positioned states for inland navigation, noting that the effective development of its waterways would significantly advance the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda.
“Kogi State possesses enormous inland waterways assets capable of transforming transportation, commerce, agriculture, tourism and logistics. With stronger collaboration, these resources can become powerful drivers of investment, wealth creation and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
The NIWA Board Chairman reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to working closely with state governments to modernise inland waterways infrastructure through the construction and rehabilitation of jetties, dredging of navigable channels, improved safety measures and the attraction of private investment.
He maintained that expanding inland waterways infrastructure would boost regional trade, improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs, decongest road networks and position Kogi State as a leading hub in Nigeria’s emerging Blue Economy.
Both parties expressed optimism that the strengthened partnership would fast-track infrastructure development, attract new investments, create sustainable jobs and reinforce Kogi State’s status as Nigeria’s strategic gateway for inland water transportation.
