‘Kebbi Boat Terminal Project to Attract Business from Burkina Faso, Mali’ – NIWA

In order to draw trade from Burkina Faso and Mali, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced that it is building a boat terminal in the Yauri waterways in Kebbi State.
Yauri is a crucial gateway for Nigeria, and its waterways will provide access through which people can be transported to countries like Mali and Burkina Faso for trading, according to Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIWA Dr. George Moghalu, who spoke at the official foundation laying ceremony of the terminal and commissioning of two ferries performed by the Emir of Yauri.
According to him, the projected boat station and the deployment of ferry boats to the Yauri waterways will facilitate trade between Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso through the emirate’s use of the River Niger.
“This will facilitate trade along our corridors and as well open up our channels and we can get maximum benefits from the waterways God has given to us as a people.
“Nigeria is a country that is blessed with a massive 10,000 kilometres waterways spreading across the country. What we need is to see to what extent we can exploit this opportunity.”
The MD informed the Emir of Yauri during his visit to the palace that the difficulties caused by rocks and trees on Yauri’s waterways will soon be resolved because funding had been allocated for them in the agency’s 2023 budget.
“We started in 2022 by carrying out survey to identify the spots where the rocks are so that we can blast them for efficient boats transportation in Yauri.” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to Senator Ibn Na’Allah and the Emirate for supporting NIWA’s operations in the Yauri waterways corridor.
Prior to his visit, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah informed the Emir that he and the MD of NIWA had promised to provide ferry boats and build a boat terminal in Yauri to improve water transportation in the emirate.
He said: “Thank God, today, you are laying the foundation for the terminal. It will facilitate access to countries like Mali and Burkina Faso for trading activities within our corridors and we will exploit the economic potential for the nation’s benefits.”
Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi, the Emir of Yauri, responded by expressing his gratitude for the support shown to Yauri by the government led by President Buhari. He praised the initiatives mentioned in his statement, including HYPADEAC, TCN, the tomato paste company, federal roads, and the Federal Technical College, and he added:: “President Buhari and Senator Na’Allah have done well in Yauri.”

GOGAN Media.