By ebosele@hotmail.com –
A major environmental intervention aimed at restoring Nigeria’s inland waterways and unlocking their economic potential is set to commence, with indigenous environmental management firm, Parts Central Limited, appointed to provide strategic oversight and implementation support for the ambitious clean-up programme.
The initiative, conceived during the tenure of the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, is designed to address the growing environmental challenges affecting the country’s waterways while promoting sustainable development within the marine and blue economy sector.
The comprehensive project seeks to tackle persistent issues including waste pollution, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, oil spills, and environmental degradation across Nigeria’s extensive inland waterways network through a structured and sustainable framework.
As part of the programme, major sources of pollution will be identified and addressed through systematic waste evacuation and environmental remediation measures. The initiative will also promote innovative waste-to-wealth solutions aimed at creating employment opportunities and improving the livelihoods of communities located along the waterways.
Beyond environmental restoration, the project is expected to enhance navigational safety by removing debris and other obstacles that hinder the smooth movement of vessels and watercraft. It will further contribute to the conservation of aquatic resources, strengthen the fisheries value chain, and support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the Marine and Blue Economy under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The initiative is also expected to reposition Nigeria’s inland waterways as attractive destinations for local and foreign investment by promoting environmental sustainability and improving the efficiency of water transportation.
Industry stakeholders believe cleaner waterways will stimulate commercial activities, boost tourism, enhance trade, and unlock significant opportunities within the nation’s rapidly evolving blue economy.
Speaking ahead of the project’s rollout, the Managing Director of Parts Central Limited, Henry Olaoluwa Onifade, assured Nigerians that the programme would be executed with the highest level of professionalism and accountability to ensure lasting impact.
According to him, the initiative represents a landmark intervention in the management of Nigeria’s inland waterways and demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, transparency, and measurable outcomes.
Onifade called on government agencies, private sector operators, host communities, environmental organisations, and other stakeholders within the maritime sector to support the initiative, noting that collective action would be critical to its success.
He expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among stakeholders would pave the way for cleaner, safer, and more productive inland waterways, setting a new benchmark for environmental stewardship and waterway management in Nigeria.
