Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to unlock the state’s vast waterways potential for economic growth, investment and job creation.

Ododo gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving the Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, Barrister Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, alongside the Managing Director of the Authority, Yusuf Umar Girie, during a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening collaboration on inland waterways development.

The governor said Kogi, as Nigeria’s Confluence State, occupies a strategic position in inland water transportation and must leverage its natural endowment to drive sustainable economic development.

“We are fully committed to partnering with NIWA to harness the enormous potential of our waterways. Kogi occupies a strategic position as the Confluence State, and we are determined to ensure these natural assets become catalysts for sustainable economic growth, investment, wealth creation and employment,” Ododo said.

He noted that the state’s development agenda aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Blue Economy initiative, describing inland waterways as a critical driver of commerce, agriculture, tourism, fisheries, logistics and industrial development.

According to him, the state government is ready to provide the necessary institutional support for projects aimed at expanding river transport infrastructure, improving navigation, enhancing safety and attracting private investment into the waterways sector.

Ododo added that increased investment in water transportation would ease pressure on road networks, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and commercial goods, and stimulate economic activities in riverine communities.

Earlier, Shagari called for stronger collaboration between the federal government and Kogi State to maximise the economic opportunities inherent in the state’s inland waterways.

He described Kogi as one of Nigeria’s most strategically endowed states in terms of inland water resources, noting that effective management of the waterways would significantly contribute to national economic growth.

“Kogi State is uniquely blessed with vast and strategic inland waterways which, if properly harnessed, can transform transportation, commerce, agriculture, tourism, fisheries and logistics. The opportunities are enormous and must be fully exploited for the benefit of our people and the nation’s economy,” Shagari said.

The NIWA Board Chairman said the Authority remains committed to strengthening partnerships with state governments to advance President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the development of the blue economy.

He identified key areas of collaboration to include the rehabilitation and construction of jetties and landing sites, dredging of navigable channels, improvement of waterways safety and security, promotion of safe water transportation, and mobilisation of private sector investment.

According to him, strengthening inland waterways infrastructure would reduce transportation costs, improve connectivity among communities, expand regional trade and position Kogi as a major hub for inland navigation.

Both parties expressed confidence that sustained collaboration would accelerate infrastructure development, attract investment, deepen the blue economy and create sustainable employment opportunities for Nigerians.