Investment in waterways: Mustapha rekindles hope

Boss Gida Mustapha, the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), is not a man of many “talks” but a “can do” the talk man. Tall, brilliant and futuristic, Boss as he wished to be addressed is President Buhari’s apostle on Nigerian Waterway revitalization and restoration. As an evangelist of the new dawn in the sector, he says new businesses on waterways such as leisure and tourism, fishing and fishery export, new town and estates, agro trade and services and the strategic use of the waterways to power and link coastal and upland trade cum services will firm the major fulcrum of unlocking and unbundling the wealth of Nigerian waterways.

Boss, who was in Lagos on a fact finding tour and visit to Niwa’s major trade partners, assured that Legacy waterway projects and infrastructure would herald the restoration of the lost glory of the sector, once regarded as the goldmine of Nigerian economy by the colonial masters. Towards this end, he challenged Niwa staff in particular and other major stakeholders to brace up to a new Niwa that will open up new revenue Lines, project creative wealth products and rise a new bar in management of governments’ assets and investments

As prove of his waterways apostolic drive, Boss took to the Lagos waterway on a cruise to minister the sermon to Niwa select and critical stakeholders. Frank Meke was on the entourage and reports.

UNVEILING NIWA CATAMARAN

Two 47 seater catamaran boats were acquired by Niwa not to compete with the private sector on water transportation and provision of logistics for outdoor recreation but as a practical baseline for investments in the sector. One of catamaran was deployed to flag ship the visit of Boss Mustapha to the stakeholders. From CMS corporate office of Niwa Lagos, the boat cruised on a 20 knots per hour to Ikoyi, Victoria Island and lekki Lagoon with its inbuilt GPS, Echo sounder tracking the route and a strategically on board video television and audio CD player to burst boredom. Boss Mustapha and his team comprising of Alhaji Ibrahim Danladi, GM, legal services, Muazu Sambo, area manager, Niwa Lagos police commander Austin Gbaraba, and Mrs. Sarah Suleiman converted a section of the spacious and luxurious ambiance of the boat into a situation room where Boss was briefed, maps and operational policies and materials reviewed and even lunch served.

It was indeed a quiet corner to study the temperament of the Niwa Boss and his all inclusive management disposition. This unplanned situation room kept the visit in focus and contributed to no small measure to highlighting and addressing the pains and fears of the stakeholders on Lagos waterways.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE – BOSS TELLS TARZAN

There is no doubt that Niwa cherished the pioneering role of Tarzan Marine Enterprises on water transportation in Nigeria. Mr. Tarzan Ganiyu Balogun President of the group was on hand to receive the visiting Niwa boss and his entourage. Mr. Tarzan expressed his appreciation for the visit and assured the Niwa boss of his support to birth a new enduring water transportation system in Nigeria. The Niwa boss whose visit also coincided with the Executive Council meeting of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) told Mr. Tarzan and other key stakeholders to keep hope alive as the new Niwa is about to emerge. After inspecting Niwa Operational boats, particularly a giant water hyacinth harvester kept for safety at Tarzan Jetty, Mr. Boss Mustapha was conducted round the jetty and later took group photograph with ATBOWATON exco. 

Contentious Ikoyi and Lekki Waterfronts

After inspecting what has became a very contentious land space in the city of Lagos, the Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki waterfronts, Niwa boss told property owners and other sundry businesses operators to hold their peace as the matter would soon resolved amicably. He blamed the past stagnant “Niwa” for the development and assured that both Lagos state and federal governments are working in tandem to ensure effective waterway transportation and sundry investment expectations.

Porbeni Welcomes Boss, Commends Niwa Lagos

Admiral Porbeni, Commander Federal Republic (CFR), retired naval boss and former Transport Minister whose tenure gave birth to Niwa, thanked Boss Mustapha for finding time to tour Lagos and visit his B.C Gardens, a boat and recreation club in Lekki, Lagos. The former naval boss took time to catalogue sad development on Lagos waterways and asked for immediate progressive intervention to save jobs and attract more investors. Earlier, Mr. Mustapha has visited the expansive luxury garden promoted by the former naval chief and commended him for the pioneer effort in changing the waterways transportation landscape as transport minister.

He expressed his willingness to drive a new Niwa that can grow new businesses along the waterways from Lagos to south-south region of Nigeria. He noted that he is determined to create infrastructure that would encourage investors and businesses to move heavy duty products and equipment including petroleum products through the waterways.

Getting hooked at Texas Connection

Modupe Lawale, delectable promoter of Inland waterways ferry service and owner of Texas connection, was hooked by the towering unannounced presence of Boss Mustapha. She however quickly recovered from the “shock” visit and with smiles mingled with elegance, conducted the Niwa team round her operational jetty and thriving boat club. As usual and as wont with most stakeholders visited, Lagos waterway policies dominated the discussion and to which Boss Mustapha promised to find enduring solution in conjunction with Lagos state governor.

Lagos right to provide infrastructure, Niwa must regulate

One major take away from the visit of Boss Mustapha is his declarative position against the seeming bad blood between Lagos agencies and Niwa stakeholders is the fact that Lagos government has all the legal right to provide waterways infrastructure for effective movement of its citizen on water but that also should be supported with operational mandate of Niwa to regulate waterways operators and services. Boss Mustapha who played key role in community impact assessment at the time of dredging of River Niger under PTF era under President Buhari as Chairman, informed worried stakeholders in Lagos and observers of the development, that he would bring his grass root experience and knowledge to bear in resolving the issues to which all parties will benefit.

Recreate a New Niwa – Boss tells Staff

It is written that “thou shall know the truth, and the truth shall set thee free” this message was what Boss Mustapha brought to bear to the sober seated staff of Niwa when he addressed them at end of his visit to stakeholders.

He said, “The era of being revenue collectors alone is gone and therefore we must all brace-up for a highly technically efficient Niwa that our children can be proud to associate and work with”. Boss Mustapha disclosed that a stagnant Niwa will only produce Kwashiorkor Products and urged the staff to join stands with him to breathe life into the dry bones of Niwa.

“We shall not be stopped and must show capacity, character and ability to deliver on this change in Niwa and spread prosperity across board; noting that he would encourage staff welfare and retaining of staff to boost competence.