Waterways Authority earmarks N5bn for dredging

National Inland Waterways Authority is to earmark N5 billion for dredging of River Benue (Lokoja-Makurdi), N4 billion for the dredging of Lower River Niger (outstanding payment to contractors 2012, 2013), N1 billion for design of River Training work for lower River Niger.

Another N1.9 billion is for the purchase of Baro Port Cargo Handling Equipment. Over all, the agency is to spend N13.4 billion on dredging, purchase of equipment, travels, and trainings, among others for the year 2016.

Other recurrent expenditure are miscellaneous N10 million, maintenance of furniture and equipment (N8m), contribution/subventions/remittances (N30m), utility services (N15m), project monitoring and evaluation (N24m) and library accessories (N14m), etc.

A breakdown of its 2016 budget reveals that the agency is to spend N297 million on training, travels and security, while N85 million is earmarked for local travels and tours. Furthermore, N35.5 million is budgeted for a national and foreign conference with N175 million considers for general security on waterways.

BusinessDay gathers that the agency has set aside N30 million for public relations, newspapers and advertisement. In a related development, another N30 million is earmarked for sensitisation and enlightenment, while N12 million is for entertainment.

Also within the year, it is to spend N178 Million to construct/rehabilitate its headquarters and area offices with another N74million on community awareness/publicity for dredging and port projects. Staff welfare, consultancy services, health, safety and environment are to get N50million, N29.9million and N10.5million respectively.

Nigeria has about 10,000 kilometres waterways of which if developed through dredging and provision of auxiliary facilities will provide all year round navigation for transportation of bulk cargo and passengers.

National Inland Waterways Authority, formerly Inland Waterways Department of the Federal Ministry of Transport, metamorphosed into an Authority vide an act of the National Assembly, CAP 47, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (Decree No.13 of 1997), established with the primary responsibility to improve and develop Nigeria’s inland waterways for navigation.