Oyetola Orders NIWA To Implement Marine Code Along Waterways

The Minister for Marine and Blue economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola has ordered the National Inland Waterways to start the implementation of the newly developed Marine code to enhance and improve security along the nation’s waterways.

The minister said this on Tuesday while commissioning legacy projects developed by the management of  the National Inland Waterways,NIWA headquarters in Lokoja.

Among the projects commissioned are Administrative block, security post, 62 Passengers boat, Ambulance and hydrographic survey boat

“I want to call on the management of this all important sector to start the immediate implementation of the newly developed marine code in order to address all the security challenges along the nation’s waterways”.he said.

According to him,the NIWA act waiting to be passed would soon become a reality adding that the Marine code would be useful in tackling the security challenges pending the time the bill would be passed.

He said that only 3,000 out of the 10,000 kilometres waterways in the country are navigable, adding that the Marine code would come handy in addressing the underutilisation of the enormous potentials in the sector.

The minister also called on the private sector to consider exploring the potential business opportunities available in the nation’s  waterways in line with the vision of President Tinubu which placed so much emphasis on the blue economy.