FG Plans to Use Hovercrafts on Nigeria’s Waterways

The Federal Government has said it plans to introduce hovercrafts and hover barges to Nigeria’s 10,000-kilometre waterways in a bid to boost water transportation.

A hovercraft is a vehicle that employs a air cushion to travel over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces.

The acting Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Barrister Danladi Ibrahim, said this in Lagos.

He said, “Hovercrafts are important as they can move in shallow waters and will be useful in ferrying bulk cargoes.

“Nigeria has a lot of investment openings in the waterways sub-sector, especially bulk movement of cargoes, and we will work closely with experienced private sector players to develop the nation’s vast coastal line.”

Ibrahim added that the tourism potential of the waterways would also be encouraged for leisure activities for Nigerians and tourists from other countries, adding that this would boost the country’s Internally Generated Revenue.

He said, “The dredging of River Niger has been completed and quite a number of river ports and jetties are undergoing construction nationwide. These are potential areas we can use to develop our waterways, especially seeking the partnership of the private sector in the operation and management of our water resources.

“NIWA will play its role in achieving a seamless intermodal transport system that will fuse water, rail, air and road together.”

Ibrahim also said that the existing gaps in safety and enforcement procedures in the system would be closed once NIWA’s new transportation code became operational, adding that he would sustain previous efforts in reducing boat mishaps.

Ibrahim also announced plans to construct a 45-storey office tower for NIWA in Marina, Lagos.

“We are partnering with a company in Dubai for this project, which will also include a modern jetty and a train station to link up other areas. Remember that the Lagos metro Line is coming here. The tower itself will contain a five-floor of super shopping mall and 10 floors for car parking,” he added.

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By 9jatravel / Administrator, bbp_keymaster

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on Jul 10, 2015

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