WATERESWAYS

Economic experts have implored government and other relevant stakeholders in the maritime sector, to explore the great potentials in the Nigerian maritime industry towards making the nation's economy more vibrant and competitive and progressive.
In today's news analysis correspondent underscores the enormous economic benefits of a well maximized maritime sector in Nigeria.
It is a well known fact that Nigeria as a country is richly blessed with vast mass of water bodies, linking internal and external geographical zones.
During the colonial era, the British made good used of the Nigerian waterways to export agricultural produce to the outside world.
However since independence in 1960, the Nigerian government has not been able to harness the nation's maritime sector for economic growth and development, probably due to inadequate political will, bad governance and insecurity in the waterways among others.
There is therefore the need for a proactive approach towards utilizing the Nigerian maritime base since the waterways remain veritable channels for transporting goods and services locally and internationally.
Therefore, government needs to create a more effective platform to influence private investors involvement in opening up the the Nigerian waterways to allow for bigger vessels to move in and out of the country.
Inland waterways have been the best channels of transporting heavy goods and services in large quantities all over the world, and Nigeria can not afford to be an exception.
In Delta State for instance, Warri, Koko, Sapele and the Burutu Sea Ports are moribund with Warri port operating below capacity.
If the four Delta State sea ports are made to function optimally as they were in the past, they will no doubt boost the economy of the State, especially in the riverine areas.
Although militancy created perceived insecurity in the areas leading to a slow pace of development, however the prevailing peace in the State's waterways calls for an urgent need for government and other stakeholders to focus attention on reviving the waterways towards making them more competitives.
The Federal Government through the ministry of transport, needs to be more serious about developing the maritime sector instead of politicizing the issue.
Furthermore, their is the need to beef up security in the nation's waterways to help curtail maritime crimes such as sea piracy, kidnapping and crude oil theft among others.
This no doubt will help enhance the smooth and free flow of goods and services in the Nigerian waterways.
The effective utilization of the nation's maritime sector will not only boost and grow Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product GDP but it will also help to sustain the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as many riverine dwellers will be gainfully engaged