Dredging The River Niger: The Journey So Far

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), recently came under criticisms from anxious riverine stakeholders over the handling of its mandate? to dredge and construct ports along the River Niger. Correspondents NUHA YARWA and PEMBI STEPHEN – DAVID, who just returned from a tour of the waterways, and were at the NIWA offices in Lokoja, Kogi State spoke with the organisation's managing director, Arc. Ahmed Aminu Yar’Adua (mni) and present their findings

What is your take on the fears of communities in the eight States -Niger, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Imo, Rivers and Bayelsa, covered by the on-going dredging and ports building programme along the River Niger that the dredging will be economically unhelpful to them because the subsequent shipping activities -large cargo and passenger- cannot improve their traditional fishing vocation to a larger scale?
First, dredging is both physical and scientific. There are issues you will see; there are factors or facilitators such as installed navigational aids you can not see, yet they are there to regulate water courses.

Indeed, the dredging is not a total excavation of all sand particles covered by the length and breadth of River Niger in its irregular shape and currents. It is a scientific canalisation of only ship routes with installed navigational aids to allow all-year- round sailing by various sizes of passenger and cargo ships irrespective of water volume.

NIWA, a parastatal of the federal ministry of transport (FMT) is accused of being “wholly” in this project by a majority of the catchment states. Is this true?
No. NIWA is under federal ministry of transport, under government of Nigeria. The dredging project, the benefitting communities, the neighbouring states are all under Federal Government or federal care and control.

NIWA has remained the chief coordinator of lower River Niger dredging as well as ports construction at Baro, Lokoja, Onitsha, Idah etc; but some of the states are accusing NIWA of being sole determinant of events or issues instead of carrying them along in the execution of the jobs
There are state committees on the dredging activities of the lower River Niger and we are partnering. How they avail themselves of certain information from the locals or so is not 100% per cent NIWA’s concern.

We at NIWA are infact marketing Nigeria internally and externally in this onerous project of providing alternative mass transport outside road networks. We collaborate with the locals through the states.

This also means through local chiefs and local government area councils. Don’t forget that government or governance is a collective responsibility.

NIWA is also accused of not carrying out its mandatory social responsibility to the immediate communities such as Janmata, Baro, Ajaokuta, Eggan, Akwano, Idah, Agenebode, etc. What is your view on this?
In brief, we provided some bore-holes. NIWA has also placed at Nupeko in Niger State, an 18-seater boat ferrying passengers and goods to and from Kataeregi in Edu/Patigi local government area of Kwara State. We are collaborating in inland water transportation? efforts.

NIWA acquired two weed-harvester equipment for clearing water hyacinth and other aquatic weeds within the water ways to make them further navigable. The total dredging costs of N36 billion will never be a waste especially if funds are made available and at the right time. NIWA appreciate the good efforts of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), maritime consortium, shippers’ council, NIMASA, ministries of solid minerals development (mines and power).

Patience will lead us to the promise destination, because water ways will certainly reduce pressure on roads, reduce wear and tear on major and minor engines; enhance agriculture, fishing, commerce and provide gainful employment across board irrespective of age; will boost national tourism and high capacity for hydroelectric dam constructions. Patience? will give us good marks.

There is the issue of poor road -linkages to ports under construction. For example, if ships must sail in from Ghana, Port Harcout or Calabar to Ontisha and then Lokoja – Baro with goods and passengers, how do such goods/services, get to the hinterlands of Minna, Kano or Sokoto in the absence of motorable roads from Bida to Bedeggi to Katcha-Baro, or Lokoja–Giryan–Akwanu-Baro–Bida or the Baro-Badegg-Minna–Kaduna–Kano poor rail track?
Road linkages is necessary, and this is why the federal ministry of works awarded the about 40km Agaie–Katcha road contract over a year ago. I understand the contractor was not forth-coming with the good work and I think it has been re-awarded.

Also, take note that NIWA has opened up the ancient Badeggi-Katcha road from Bida, linking Baro-Akwano. It is our modest contribution. We will improve upon them when more funds are available to us.

On the rail line linking Baro to Kano, it was first constructed by the British colonialists between 1907 and 1911, more than a century ago, through forced labour. I am aware that some good rehabilitation works have commenced from Minna recently through Kataeregi toward Badegi to end at Baro port. I want to tell you that government is not folding its hands. Work at various levels is progressing.

The construction of? Lokoja port is yet to begin. There is supposed to be one at Agenebode (Edo) and another at Idah (Kogi), while that at Baro is yet to be completed. What is the level of work so far on these projects?
Baro port is 70 per cent completed. We are expecting the last bits of steel piles which have started arriving Baro; you have just shown me from your camera the photograph of? the site and the truck off-loading the sheets at Baro.

So, that’s the true position. In a few months time say April or so, Baro port will be high up. For Idah etc, every project has planning and executing time table. We are moving on fast, and according to the scheduled programme.

…and for other ports?
Onitsha Port, constructed at N4billion will be completed and commissioned by president Jonathan before the end of year 2012, Lokaja abandoned port is being re-awarded and work will begin in earnest to meet time-line.

With a little more patient with government, every one will soon smile as far as inland water way transportation is concerned.

Don’t be surprised that some state governments will easily embark on some inter-state river businesses through local coast-lines as we have many rivers meandering from one state to another. They are natural gifts to us.

Can they be dredged?
There are two aspects of dredging: the physical – which we have completed from Baro (Niger) to Warri (Delta) covering 572 km; then, the maintenance dredging – which is constant. It is like servicing your car engine to avoid a breakdown. You may also carry out both activities for prolonged? navigational activities.

These are professional details which most locals, most people, including elite don’t know of. But, it is? because we are all eager to jump into deep river to float with our goods from one end of the country to another. Perhaps, people are tired of seeing or partaking in road accidents. But God will see us through.