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Inland Waterways: SEREC Recommends Comprehensive Dredging Plan, Sustainable Water Hyacinth Management

As part of efforts to maintain navigable waterways to grow the nation’s blue economy, Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has called for the development of a comprehensive dredging plan as well as sustainable water hyacinth management.

The Founder of SEREC, Dr. Eugene Nweke, made this recommendation in an open memoranda sent to the Chairman of the Committee on the Review of Incessant Boat Mishaps on Nigerian waterways.

According to SEREC, the Committee has a strategic role to stem the tide of boat accidents on Nigerian inland waterways, it is essential to consider the inland waterways across the nation, especially in the Northern and central region.
Noting that a sustainable water hyacinth management strategy balances the needs of commercial boat operations with environmental concerns, the research group also observed the need to conduct a thorough assessment of the water topographic challenges affecting inland waterways and a need to develop strategies to mitigate the problems.

“There should be training and adequate provision of resources to the NIWA workforce to enhance their capacity and expertise in managing the inland waterways. The nation should also ensure that the new boats introduced as part of the phasing-out of wooden boats meet the required safety standards and specifications,” the Group said.

It equally advised that the committee’s recommendations should prioritize the safety and viability of commercial boat operations in the inland waterway transport system, while also taking into account the unique challenges and opportunities in the different regions, the present workforce of NIWA, and environmental concerns.

“By considering these factors and developing a comprehensive plan, the committee can provide informed and practicable solutions to reduce accidents on the waterways to the barest minimum, as envisioned by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“As an advise to the committee, the Center also urges the committee to do a thorough job with this crucial assignment, as the maritime industry stakeholders are expectant and desirous of a positive changes in the NIWA administration responsiveness and operational narratives,” SEREC stated.

Meanwhile, it posited that the committee may reconsider the 21 days timeline given to it by the Minister of Marine and Blue and request for a month timeline in a bid to cover the broad scope of its activities.

“The committee may also have the need to look into the reports and recommendations of similar previous committees, it may help to fast track its assignment,” the research group advised.

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