The Kogi State Government and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have agreed to strengthen collaboration aimed at harnessing the state’s vast inland waterways to drive economic growth, improve transportation and advance Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo gave the assurance 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.
The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in the sustainable development of inland waterways, with both parties identifying the sector as a critical driver of investment, employment generation and national economic development.
Ododo described Kogi as Nigeria’s strategic gateway to inland water transportation, pledging his administration’s commitment to partnering with NIWA to maximise the state’s waterways for economic transformation.
According to him, the state government is fully aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its Blue Economy policy, noting that investment in inland waterways would stimulate commerce, agriculture, tourism, fisheries, logistics and industrialisation while improving the livelihoods of residents.
“Kogi occupies a strategic position as the confluence state, and we are determined to ensure these natural assets become catalysts for sustainable economic growth, investment, wealth creation and employment,” the governor said.
He assured the agency of the state’s readiness to provide institutional support for projects that would expand river transport infrastructure, improve navigation, enhance safety and attract private sector investment.
The governor also noted that increased investment in water transportation would reduce pressure on federal highways, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and commercial goods, strengthen regional integration and boost economic activities in riverine communities.
Earlier, Shagari described Kogi as one of Nigeria’s most strategically endowed states in terms of inland water resources, saying effective development of its waterways would significantly contribute to national economic growth and accelerate the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda.
He said the authority was committed to deepening collaboration with state governments in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to unlock investment opportunities and create sustainable jobs.
“Kogi State is uniquely blessed with vast and strategic inland waterways which, if properly harnessed, can transform transportation, commerce, agriculture, tourism, fisheries and logistics. The opportunities are enormous and must be fully exploited for the benefit of our people and the nation’s economy,” Shagari said.
The NIWA Board Chairman identified priority areas for collaboration to include the development and rehabilitation of jetties and landing sites, dredging and maintenance of navigable channels, improved waterways safety and security, promotion of safe water transportation and mobilisation of private investment in river infrastructure.
He added that strengthening inland waterways infrastructure would lower transportation costs, improve connectivity among communities, ease pressure on road networks, expand regional trade and position Kogi as a major hub for inland navigation.
