The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has signalled support to partner with Rivers State University (RSU) on the establishment of an African Fleet Management Forum aimed at advancing fleet management, green mobility and safety across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The initiative, which underscores a growing push for sustainable transport within the blue economy, was disclosed during the 3rd International Conference organised by the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management, RSU, in collaboration with UNITAR-CIFAL and the World Food Programme (WFP), held in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Mrs Anasthasia Tebirawa, Assistant Manager, Human Resources and Administration at NIWA’s Port Harcourt Area Office, described the event as impactful and insightful, noting that it provided practical value to participants and their organisations.
Tebirawa, who represented the Area Office Manager, Surveyor Bernard Ekawu, explained that the proposed collaboration aligns with NIWA’s 2025 strategic focus on leveraging private sector partnerships to enhance service delivery, safety standards and environmental sustainability across the waterways.
She said the African Fleet Management Forum would provide a platform for capacity building and certified training programmes for NIWA personnel as well as boat operators, thereby promoting professionalism, reducing operational errors and improving safety outcomes.
According to her, the partnership would also support cleaner transport initiatives in line with the blue economy agenda, including measures to monitor and reduce pollution from water vessels.
“By working with industry experts, NIWA can optimise river port usage and strengthen intermodal transport systems, ensuring efficiency across the logistics value chain,” she added.
Tebirawa further highlighted NIWA’s ongoing regulatory role, noting that the agency conducts hydrographic surveys and installs navigational aids such as buoys to enhance safety on inland waterways.
As a federal agency under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIWA is mandated to manage and regulate activities across Nigeria’s inland waterways, including creeks, rivers, lagoons and coastal routes.
She reiterated key safety codes governing water transport, including mandatory safety briefings, compulsory use of life jackets, prohibition of unlicensed operators, bans on overloading and drunk driving, and restriction of movement on waterways to between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The proposed forum, stakeholders say, could mark a significant step toward modernising inland water transport while addressing safety and environmental concerns in Nigeria and across Africa.
