The National Inland Water Ways Authority, NIWA has expressed its readiness to partner with the State Ministry of Transport as parts of efforts to rejig the water transportation sector.
The Area Manager NIWA,Mrs. Ali Zainab made the statement when she received the Honourable Commissioner for Transport,Joseph Okwoli alongside his management staff who paid her a courtesy visit in her office.
Speaking on the rationale behind the visit, Okwoli said it was neccesary to build synergy with NIWA since the state is working vigorously on a transformation agenda in water transportation.
Okwoli laments that vessels such as the gun boats,speed boats,voyage boats,pleasure boats amongst others that would have eased the movement of people and goods from one place to another have been recklessly abandoned.
He said the ministry of Transport is eager to activate the system and make it a commercial center for investors in and outside the state.
He vowed that the ministry will put in all efforts resuscitate the obsolete vessels to complement the road transport system in the state.
Meanwhile,The unit head marine, NIWA Dockyard, Engnr.Bode Komolafe who took the entourage round to see the vessels revealed that,there are about Five speed boats which two are functional.
He said there are vessels which has the capacity to accommodate 200 passengers alongside Ferries, voyage boats,speed boats,pleasure boats amongst others.
He said if the vessels becomes functional, commercial activities in Kogi will take a new turn.
Opeyemi Balogun
PRO.
