10 Functions of the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA

NIWA, the National Inland Waterways Authority is the federal government agency, established by an Act of the National Assembly, according to the law of the federal republic of Nigeria with the very fundamental responsibility of making sure that the inland waterways in Nigeria are developed.

Apart from the responsibility of developing Nigeria’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Authority was also to improve the inland waterways in Nigeria, all for the purpose of smooth and easy navigation.

Read Also: 9 Functions of the Nigerian Bar Association

The National Inland Waterways Authority was formal, a federal government department called, Inland Waterways Department, but today, it has metamorphosed into a full flesh Authority by an Act of the Parliament.

That is why it is known and called today as, the National Inland Waterways Authority. The National Inland Waterways Authority is directly under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Transport.

Functions Of The National Inland Waterways Authority:

The National Inland Waterways Authority was established with many functions attached to it. Apart from the development and improvement of Nigeria’s inland waterways for navigation, the National Inland Waterways Authority also saddled with the responsibility of carrying out several functions, and in this article, I will be discussing with us some of the functions of the National Inland Waterways Authority, stay with me.

Read Also: 13 Functions of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST)

1. The National Inland Waterways Authority Regulates Inland Water Navigation

This is one of the functions of the National Inland Waterways Authority. As a regulatory body that regulates activities as regards Inland waterways navigation, the National Inland Waterways Authority has been in the business of making provision for rules and regulations with a view to regulates Nigeria’s inland waterways navigation.

This is one of the functions that the National Inland Waterways Authority has been trying to achieve among several other of its functions.

2. The National Inland Waterways Authority Ensures Development Of Infrastructure

Yet, another function of the National Inland Waterways Authority, this time, it is the development of facilities and infrastructure for effective and smooth administration of the National Inland Waterways Authority.

Therefore, what the Authority does in this regards, is to ensure that, infrastructural facilities are developed for the purpose of connecting national Inland waterways with the economic centers with the use of River Port, as well as, other ports, such as, Nodal Point, by implementing this, there would be that possibility of creating internodal exchanges.

And as a result, there would be that possible connectivity of national Inland waterways with economic centers across the country.

3. The National Inland Waterways Authority Develops Indigenous Technical Skills

The National Inland Waterways Authority is also saddled with the responsibility of developing Nigerian citizens, in terms of skills and capacity.

The National Inland Waterways Authority will make sure that Nigerians are developed and as well, cultivates in them both the technical skills and managerial skills in order to contend with the modern challenges of transportation, this time, Inland waterways transportation.

Read Also: 9 Functions of the Nigerian Press Council

4. The National Inland Waterways Authority Undertakes Capital And Dredging Maintenance

The list of the functions of the National Inland Waterways Authority continues, as it undertakes capital as well as, dredging maintenance.

This aspect of the function of the National Inland Waterways Authority is very necessary since it’s avowed for easy and smooth navigation of Inland waterways in Nigerian water.

5. The National Inland Waterways Authority Undertakes Hydroelectric Surveys

This is another function of the National Inland Waterways Authority. The Authority also undertakes surveys, such as hydrographic surveys and hydrological surveys, the science of water and the art of measuring the water with a view to determining safe Inland waterways for navigation, and this is one of the major functions of the National Inland Waterways Authority.

6. The National Inland Waterways Authority Undertakes The Design Of Ferry Routes

Designing the routes of the ferry is one of the functions of the National Inland Waterways Authority. Ferry needs find its way through the water, perhaps, some of the factors involved in design ferry routes in water are the idea of undertaking surveys, such as the hydrographic surveys, as well as, hydrological surveys. Undertaking these surveys will help the National Inland Waterways Authority to design ferry routes properly.

Read Also: 7 Functions of Discount Houses in Nigeria

7. The National Inland Waterways Authority Surveys, Removes And Receives Wrecks From Waterways

Obviously, there are some obstructions found within inland waterways, such as derelicts and wrecks, as well as, other forms of obstructions found within the Inland Waterways.

Therefore, what the National Inland Waterways Authority does is to make sure that these obstructions are removed, if possible, the National Inland Waterways Authority can as well, received these derelicts, wrecks and other obstructions from within the Inland Waterways.

8. The National Inland Waterways Authority Operates Ferry Services

Another function of the National Inland Waterways Authority is the operation of services, such as ferry services in and within the Inland waterways system.

The National Inland Waterways Authority is the regulatory organization, and it takes every responsibility and action in regards to Nigeria’s inland waterways.

As an organization that is an authority in Nigeria’s inland waterways, it also has the permit to operate ferry services in Nigeria’s inland waterways system.

9. The National Inland Waterways Authority Undertakes Installation And Maintenance OF NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

The National Inland Waterways Authority undertakes the installations and maintenance of every navigation aid. The National Inland Waterways Authority will take every responsibility of installing, as well as maintaining every navigational aid, such as lights and buoys among others within the water tanks and water channels.

10. The National Inland Waterways Authority Issues And Control Licenses

Every regulatory organization, constitutionally has the Authority to issue out licenses to qualified clients, who may wish to engage in the Inland waterways business, such as operating ferry services, and even, engine boat services within Nigeria’s inland waterways.

However, before any license is issued to any individual to operate such services, such an individual must fulfill or meet all requirements for him to be eligible for such a license.

Besides every license issued by the National Inland Waterways Authority must also be controlled by the Authority.

Read Also: 7 Functions of Nigerian Prison

Conclusion

Apart from the responsibility of developing Nigeria’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Authority was also to improve the inland waterways in Nigeria, all for the purpose of smooth and easy navigation.

📢 We are hiring writers!