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The National Inland Waterways Authority has outlined an ambitious plan to facilitate the development of a West Coast cargo jetty, a move set to strengthen regional trade and unlock faster movement of goods across West Africa.
As part of a broader strategy to optimise Nigeria’s inland waterways, the Authority is also considering the activation of select existing jetties to drive cargo exchange between Nigeria and Ghana in a pilot phase that could redefine subregional logistics.
The plan was unveiled during a joint inspection of Marina Jetty in Lagos on Thursday, bringing together key stakeholders including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIWA, and a Ghanaian delegation of corporate and private sector trade representatives.
Leading the NIWA team, Acting Managing Director Yusuf Girei reaffirmed the Authority’s readiness to drive the initiative, pointing to a network of waterfront assets capable of supporting efficient and technology enabled cargo operations with direct connectivity to major commercial hubs in Lagos.
Girei, joined by General Manager Marine Engr Horsefall Dakio and Lagos Area Manager Engr Sarat Braimah, stressed that NIWA’s extensive waterways network places it at the centre of inland cargo mobility within the region.
He added that the Authority’s operational success along the Calabar–Cameroon route provides a tested model for expansion across the West Coast corridor.
“We are committed to leveraging our infrastructure and expertise to facilitate regional trade. Our experience on the Calabar–Cameroon route demonstrates the viability of inland water transport in boosting market access within Nigeria and across West Africa,” Girei said.
