- Title:
- Economic viability of major river ports in Nigeria in the movement of goods and passengers to the hinterland
- Author:
Ndikom, O. B. 1, Nwokedi. Theophilus C. 1, Buhari, S.O. 2, Nathaniel, O. C. 2, Nwosu, S. O. 2
- Author Affiliation:
1.Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
2.Federal College of Fisheries and Oceanography, Lagos, Nigeria
The Maritime industry has over the years,
operated below capacity due largely to the neglect of the fundamental pillars,
such as the wheel and spoke conceptual structure of development upon which
grassroots economic business and local hinterland transactional exchanges rests
on. Lack of a viable Shipping policy framework in place has also complicated
the desire to develop the inland waterways operations and management, which is
the key and rocky -anchor of the growth and development of an emerging inland
waterways and River Ports operations. Ironically, there is a missing link in
the economic trade liberalization and commercial transactional linkages and
logistical spread connection between major port cities and the hinterland
river-ports operations, due largely to the non- development of inland waterways
operations in Nigeria. This study used mixed research design method comprised
of both survey data and data from secondary sources to investigate the economic
viability of selected River ports in Nigeria. It was recommended that, there is
need for the government to further fortify these river -ports with clear -cut
policies needed up-to-date infrastructural facility to assist to its
development and growth. This is because, it will assist to kick-start the
efficient inland waterways operation and facilitates economic viability of
river -ports operational efficiency of the whole system, as well as strengthen
the cabotage operations. It was also recommended that, efforts should be
intensified to remove obstacles to safe navigation such as wrecks, derelicts,
water hyacinths and other impediments on the waterways of each of the
River-Ports at the end.
[1] Ndikom, O. B. (2021) : Maritime Transport Policy imperatives for the Nigerian Ports industry. A Book publication by Bookmarkers Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo state.
[2] Ndikom, O. B. C. (2008). Maritime transport management and administration in Nigeria. A paper presented at TASER: Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
[3] Chilaka, E. M. (2018). The decline of the lower River Niger System as an inland waterway transport channel in Post-Colonial times. An unpublished reviewed work of Dr. Chilaka Edmund 2018.
[4] Badejo, B.A. (2000) :The role and implications of government policies: Charting the course of the Maritime industry. Paper presentation at the national seminar on Eradication of corruption and sharp Practices in our sea ports
[5] Ndikom, O. B. (2006) : The Kernel Concept of Shipping Operations , Policies, and Strategies. The industry overview. Lagos, Bumico Publishers
[6] Nwilo, P. C. (2002). Navigation on the lower River Niger and the Nigeria Inland Waterways development Master plan
[7] Adimoha, H. E. (2014). An evaluative study of inland water transport development in Nigeria. An M.Sc. Thesis, submitted to the Department of Maritime Management Technology, Futo, (2014).
[8] Fellinda, I. (2006). “Worlds water transport needs further development”. Transport and Development, pp. 68-72.
[9] Ojile, M. O. (2006). Draft report of the socio-economic characteristics for the idealization of the Port Harcourt Warri Roads. Submitted to Masser allots Nigeria Limited on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja P. 60.
[10] Gray, L. (2004). An examination of the problems of water transportations in old Degama Province, Nigeria". Journal of Waterways, Africa, No. 33, pp 20-26.
[11] Ezenwaji, E. E. (2010). Constraints on effective water transportation in some riverine communities of old Anambra L. G. A., Anambra State. A paper delivered at the 2010 rural development seminar with the theme Rural Transportation in Nigeria. Imo State University, Owerri, 31st March to 1st April, 2010.
[12] Abubakar, A. I. (2002): Desk Officer, Water Transportation Unit, Federal Ministry of transport, Abuja, Nigeria. Personnel communication.
[13] Nwokedi, T. C., Odumodu, C. U., Anyanwu Julius, O. and Ndikom, O. B. C. (2020). Gap analysis evaluation of Nigeria’s fish demand and production: Empirical evidences for investment in and policy development for offshore mariculture practices. A paper published at the International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic studies. IJFAS 2020, Vol. 8, No. 3, PP. 384-394.
[14] Ilogie, I. J. (1984). Regional geography of Nigeria. Macmillan Publishers, Lagos, Nigeria.
[15] Ndikom, O. B. C. (2013). A critical assessment of the inland waterways operations and management of the development of Nigerian maritime industry. Greener Journal of Environmental Management and Public Safety. Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 99-17.
[16] Abubakar, M. A. (2002): Dialogue on power potential and prospect of the inland waterways in Nigeria. Adams Printing Press, Kano, Nigeria
[17] ICRC Media and Publicity Unit (2017). Waterways as viable transport channels. Newspaper release of 17th November, 2017.
[18] Ndikom, O. B. C. (2011). The kernel concept of shipping operations, policies and strategies: The industry overview, second edition, A book printed in Nigeria by Ibadan University Printery, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
[19] Adejare, Q. A. et al. (2002). Dredging of the inland waters and sustainable management of the waterways for national development: A paper reviewed by the authors.
[20] Ndikom, O.B., Nwokedi, T.C., Buhari, S.O. (2018) Cargo clearance and congestion challenges in Nigeria ports: A case for integration of emerging River ports and ICD’s into hub ports trade corridors. Ijagun Journal of Social and Management Science, Vol. 5(1), pp. 28-42.
[21] Kuhtreiber, N., Jaudrists, M., Pfliegl, R. and Hofmann-Wellenhof, B. (2007). Value-added services for river information systems. Vermessung & Geo-information. 2/2007, P. 186-194, 8 figs July 2-13, 2007, Perugia, Italy.
[22] Raphuram, G, (2004): "Integrating Coastal Shipping with National Transport Network: in India". Proceedings of tne International Association of Maritime Economics Annual Conference. Vol. 1 1, No. 1, pp 39-48.
[23] Obeta, M. C. (2014). The characteristics of inland water transport in Nigeria. A paper published at the (IOSR) Journal of Humanities and Social Science. (IOSR-JHSS) Vol. 19, Issue 3, ver iv (Mar. 2014), pp. 119-126.
[24] Aderemo, A. J. & Mogaji, S. A. (2010): "Rural Transportation of public Facilities in Nigeria: a case study of Edu Local Movement Area of Kwara State" Journal of Human Ecology, Vol. 29 no. 3, pp 171-179.
[25] Akali, K. E., and Idoko, O. (2010): River Transport and Economic Empowerment: An Assessment of Lokoja Crossing Port on the Niger Being a Paper Delivered at the 53"1 annual Conference of Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG) at Lagos State University, Lagos Between Nov. 21st-Nov. 25th 2011.
[26] Douglas, I. E. (2001). Impact of navigation on socio-economic development of west and central Africa sub-region and as veritable tool for the promotion of tourism and sports. A paper presented at a 3-day International Conference on Navigation activities within the Nigeria River Basin west and central Africa sub-region, held at Abuja on the 20th – 28th June, 2001.
[27] Kimba, G. (2008). Development of inland waterways in Freetown Sierra Leone. Journal of African Integration Vol. 3, pp. 91-100.
[28] Onuche, H. A. (2007). Assessment of inland water transport at the Lokoja crossing port. An M.Sc. thesis, submitted to the Department of Geography, Benue State University, Markurdi, 2020.