NIWA plans building more infrastructure in Lagos

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is looking forward to boosting its presence in Lagos by constructing more infrastructure and jetties in the state.

A new jetty and a Police building are being constructed for the agency in the state.

NIWA Managing Director, Dr. George Moghalu disclosed this on Wednesday when he hosted the Board Chairman of the NIWA, Senator Binta Masi Garba, and other members of the board at the NIWA Lagos Area Office.

Moghalu further hinted that the agency has entered into Public Private Partnership (PPP) with some companies who would invest in the waterways and open it up by injecting facilities and purchasing more boats.

His words: “We believe that the maritime sector has great potential to expand the Nigerian economy. So we have open contacts with companies on PPP arrangement to open up the waterways, unless we do this, we cannot maximize the profitability of the sector,”

Earlier, Senator Binta Garba noted that the agency is now autonomous having exited the Federal Government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). This according to her means the agency is able to generate revenue to care for its staffing needs.

Garba who led a tour of NIWA facilities in Lagos commended the Lagos Area Office under the leadership of Engr. Sarat Braimah in the area of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which hit N1billion, an increase N400million from the previous N600million.

On the challenges facing the Lagos Area Office, the NIWA Board Chairman advised the agency’s management to prioritize the needs of Lagos as part of efforts to encourage the commendable output at the Area Office.

“Lagos Area Office is becoming too small, and motivation is key to any staff if you want to get the best from them. I align myself with the needs of the workers, without the funding and the vehicles, there is no way they can move around to get more IGR.

“The joy that I have is that they (NIWA) are now autonomous, they can create things for themselves, they are now an agency generating revenue to take care of their wellbeing and give back some fraction of it to the federal government,” the Board Chairman said.

In her speech, Braimah commended the Board Chairman and the NIWA boss for the increase in staff salaries which reflected in the February 2023 salaries.

She also appreciated the board and management for the Public-Private Arrangement for the agency’s property at Oyingbo, which was concessioned to Morbod, adding that it has given NIWA positive publicity.