Agriculture
THE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says the Federal Government has approved the transportation of goods on the dredged channel of River Niger.
NIWA General Manager (Corporate Affairs) Jibril Darda’u announced this in a statement issued in Lokoja on Wednesday.
Darda’u said that a Kogi-based leading tiles manufacturing company, West African Ceramic Ltd., under the brand name — Royal — in Ajaokuta, had successfully ferried goods worth 22 articulated vehicles to Onitsha River Port in Anambra.
“This is a feat the Federal Government has achieved owing to its efforts at dredging the river Niger over the years toward improving transportation in the country.
“West African Ceramic Ltd. took advantage of the dredged channel of River Niger in conveying the quantum of tiles to Onitsha for marketing purposes.
“The goods were successfully loaded on a Barge M.V Vega, owned by the company using tugboat piloted by NIWA onboard crew with escort from Inland Waterways police for adequate security.
“Likewise, on returning to Ajaokuta, the Barge carried laterite, a major raw material for the production of tiles that is worth 27 articulated vehicles for the company,” he said.
He explained that the distance between Ajaokuta and Onitsha is 162km on the channel of River Niger, which was successfully covered by the barge to and from with the goods without any hindrance.
Darda’u urged other companies, corporate organisations, businessmen and women to take advantage of the dredged channel from Ajaokuta to Onitsha which is 162km in moving in or out their goods or products.
According to him, West African Ceramic Ltd. has pledged to continue to take advantage of the dredged channel from Ajaokuta to Onitsha in moving all its products, because it is cheaper and safer.(NAN)
KN
Tags: Jibril Darda’u National Inland Waterways Authority
