10 Problems and Challenges of Water Transportation in Nigeria

Problems and Challenges of Water Transportation in Nigeria –  One of the ingredients for a nation’s economic development is an efficient, effective, and adequate transportation network. Road, sea, air, and train travel are the main modes of transportation.Information Guide Nigeria

Since the military’s reign, these modes of transportation have not undergone any significant improvements. It is impossible to argue against the importance of having a robust transportation system since it links people and locations, which improves social and economic relations. Nigeria has three modes of transportation.

They are:

1. Water Transportation
2. Air Transportation
3. Land Transportation

This article looks into the problems and challenges of water transportation. Water transportation problems in Nigeria include:

• Poor dredging
• Incompetent managers
• Lack of berths
• Navigation channels non-maintenance
• Neglect
• Wrong water transportation policies
• Piracy
• Lack of workforce
• Ports operational problems
• Inadequate funding

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Nigeria Water Transportation Problems and Challenges

Nigeria’s water transportation problems and challenges as observers have picked for us are:

1. Poor Dredging

God blessed Nigeria with inland waterways that are good for water transportation. Nigeria has so many navigable canals, lakes, rivers, creaks, and lagoons.

The River Niger, one of the longest rivers in Africa, comes into Nigeria from the Republic of Niger. It flows from Northern Nigeria through Western Nigeria to Eastern Nigeria and connects the sea.

Another major river that we can find in Nigeria is the River Benue. River Benue takes its source from the Cameroon Mountains and burst Nigeria at Yola.

These two major rivers come together at Lokoja, forming a confluence there. Apart from these two major rivers, there are other minor rivers in Nigeria that flow into the sea. All these rivers form the inland waterways of Nigeria.

These Nigeria waterways form such an impressive network that is very good for water transportation. The problem is that they are impassable, especially during the dry season due to poor dredging.

This poor dredging of Nigeria’s waterways has brought so much hardship to Nigerians, particularly those who live in the watersheds. It has also made Nigeria lose so much money.

2. Incompetent Managers

Another inherent problem with Nigeria’s water transportation is incompetent managers of the Nigerian waterways. Things happening within Nigeria’s maritime industry prove that the managers in this industry are not professionals. It is for this reason that we have so many problems in this industry in Nigeria.

Their mediocrity and lack of education will not allow the industry to thrive. The result is problems in Nigeria’s water transportation because the managers of our waterways lack operational knowledge of the maritime industry. Thus, incompetent management is a problem in Nigeria’s water transportation.

3. Lack of Berths

A challenge that observers of Nigeria’s waterways find to be hindering water transportation in Nigeria is the lack of berths. Our road transportation system has bus stops and motor parks here and there.

When you come to Air transportation in Nigeria, there are so many airports where planes can land and take off. On the contrary, no berths in our waterways where ships and boats can stop, stay and sail off.

Thus, the absence of berths in Nigeria’s waterways poses problems for water transportation in Nigeria.

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4. Navigation Channels Non-maintenance

There are so many rivers in Nigeria that link one another. Through their navigation channels, you can burst the sea and sail to other countries. Nevertheless, the problem with these channels is the lack of maintenance.

Due to the non-maintenance of these navigation channels, people find it difficult to transport goods and persons through the waterways. This is why imported goods are so costly in Nigeria since transporting them by air is costlier than transporting them by water.

5. Neglect

A challenge facing water transportation in Nigeria is neglect. The Nigerian government neglects Nigeria’s inland waters that people can use for water transportation. The Nigerian government seems to see no benefits of water transportation to its economy. 10 Problems and Challenges Facing the Nigerian Senates

The private sector, too, does not care about water transportation in Nigeria. Both the government and private sector concentrate on Air and Land transportation to the detriment of water transportation. Yet, Nigeria has so much to gain from its water transportation system.16 Best Vacuum Cleaners and their Prices in Nigeria

6. Wrong Water Transportation Policies

Nigeria’s water transportation policies are wrong hence, they pose a serious challenge to water transportation in Nigeria. Nigeria’s policies concerning water transportation regulation and infrastructural provisions are difficult for transportation operators. NYSC Portal

Nigeria’s policy on licensing water transportation users does not provide them operational enabling environment. To worsen things for them, these policies are inconsistent. For these reasons, wrong transportation policies pose a great challenge for water transportation in Nigeria.

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7. Piracy

Piracy is a problem for water transportation in Nigeria. Pirates bring insecurity to water transporters and their passengers. Their cargoes are not always safe due to pirates that operate in the waterways. Thus, piracy has caused so many problems for transporting water in Nigeria. 105 Good morning My Love Messages 

8. Lack of WorkForce

Water transportation in Nigeria requires a workforce. Thus, the lack of workforce in the maritime industry is a problem for water transportation in Nigeria. 200 Romantic Love Messages for her

Stevedores are lacking in the maritime industry. Professionals are also lacking in the industry. It is for this reason that water transportation in Nigeria is difficult.

To attain operational efficiency in Nigeria’s maritime industry, it needs staffing. The industry needs professionals who can work effectively in it. Those to work in the industry must be knowledgeable in the importation and exportation of goods into and out of Nigeria. As long as the maritime industry lacks these calibers of people, water transportation in Nigeria will remain a mirage.

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9. Ports Operational Problems

Restrictions in Nigerian ports pose a problem for water transportation in Nigeria. Operational standards in Nigerian ports differ from those of our neighboring countries, making many water transporters prefer those country ports to Nigerian ports. Jamb portal

In most cases, water transporters who would have used Nigeria ports for their cargoes decide to use those of Ghana and Cotonou because of harsh port policies in Nigeria. In addition, other ports are safer to use than those of Nigeria.10 Problems and Challenges of Water Transportation in Nigeria

Insecurity in Nigerian ports makes importers and exporters fear the usage of Nigerian ports. Moreover, Nigeria built its ports where human traffic and port operations are difficult.

Hostile service delivery policies also make Nigerian ports’ environment unfriendly to businesspersons. All these ports’ operational problems have brought so many problems to transporting water in Nigeria.

10. Inadequate Funding

Nigerian ports’ infrastructure needs money. Inadequate funding of these ports has made water transportation in Nigeria something that is difficult if not impossible. For transportation to become effective in Nigeria, Nigerian ports must have adequate funds for their efficient operations.

Transportation needs infrastructures that only adequate funding can provide. It needs boats that are comfortable for passengers. The risk associated with water transportation demands that the boats that operate in the waterways have life jackets. These items are not in place due to inadequate funding.

Before the authorities responsible for transportating water in Nigeria can dredge the waterways, they need adequate funding. Until the Federal Government provides adequate funding, no one can dredge the waterways.

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Conclusion

Water transportation in Nigeria is nearly impossible due to inherent problems in the maritime industry. Neglecting water transportation in Nigeria is making it lose so many benefits of transportation. Therefore, Nigeria should rethink its water transportation system.

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