NIWA Seeks Naval Support for Improved Security for Lagos-Onitsha Cargos

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, ) Dr George Muoghalu, has called for improved security in the nation’s maritime ecosystem in order to enhance safe operations.

Muoghalu, argued that adequate security was needed for the safe passage of cargo between Lagos and Onitsha.

The NIWA boss while speaking with journalists after a meeting with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal  Gambo, at the Naval Headquarters on Friday, noted that insecurity as one of the major concerns of stakeholders in the industry.

He hinted that they use this opportunity to request for support and encouragement from the Navy with regards to the issue of providing them with adequate security for safe passage in the Nigerian territory, especially with the movement of cargo between Lagos and Onitsha.

“We require the support of the Navy to provide the needed Security for us to be able to move cargo from point A to point B and that has been the major concern of most of the importers who are aligning with us.

“The issue of insecurity is not a personal business, it’s all our business, every agency must be committed to it. The Nigerian Navy has been quite supportive, the army, everybody has been quite supportive to make sure we have a safe operative environment, he added.

He asserted that the water transportation system remains the best bet in the country despite the challenges.

Muoghalu explained that waterway transportation is the way to go because the potentials are enormous despite the challenges, adding that they are trying to get people to key into this narrative.

“We just need to put the infrastructure in place, making sure that we have safe passage, making sure that the baggies are available, making sure that the goods and the baggies are all insured so that nobody will have anyone to blame at the end. So, these are the basic things we are trying to put in order. I am very confident that that is the way to go and once we’re able to achieve that we would begin to tap into these opportunities,” he emphasized.