–Seeks safer, cleaner, seamless inland water transportation

Funso OLOJO, Editor

In a bold move to promote cleaner, safer and more secure inland waterways transportation in Nigeria, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has concessioned the cleaning of the nation’s waterways to PartsCentral Limited, a multi-sector indigenous environmental company.

Under the arrangement, the company will provide strategic oversight and implementation support for a comprehensive clean-up initiative aimed at restoring Nigeria’s inland waterways and enhancing their economic potential.

The project, initiated during the administration of the immediate past Managing Director of NIWA, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, is seen as a major step towards creating a cleaner, safer and more investment-friendly inland waterways ecosystem in Nigeria.

According to NIWA, the initiative is designed to tackle the persistent challenges of waste pollution, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, oil spillage and environmental degradation across the country’s vast inland waterways through a structured and sustainable approach.

In a press statement, the Authority said the project would identify major sources of pollution, facilitate systematic waste removal and promote innovative waste-to-wealth solutions capable of creating employment opportunities for communities located along the waterways.

NIWA added that beyond environmental restoration, the project is expected to improve navigational safety by removing obstacles that hinder the smooth movement of vessels and other watercraft.

“It is also expected to support the conservation of aquatic resources, strengthen the fisheries value chain, and contribute significantly to the realisation of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Marine and Blue Economy sector.

“As part of its broader objectives, the initiative seeks to reposition Nigeria’s inland waterways as attractive destinations for local and foreign investment by promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the overall efficiency of water transportation,” the Authority stated.

Stakeholders believe that cleaner waterways will stimulate economic activities, encourage tourism, boost commerce and unlock the enormous untapped potential within the nation’s blue economy.

Speaking on the forthcoming rollout of the project, the Managing Director of PartsCentral Limited, the concessionaire, Henry Olaoluwa Onifade, assured Nigerians that every aspect of the programme would be professionally executed to deliver lasting results.

He described the initiative as a historic intervention in the management of Nigeria’s inland waterways and reaffirmed the commitment of the project team to ensuring transparency, sustainability and measurable environmental impact.

Onifade also called on government agencies, private sector operators, host communities, environmental groups and other stakeholders in the maritime sector to support the initiative, stressing that collective participation would be crucial to its success.

He expressed confidence that with sustained collaboration, Nigeria would soon witness cleaner, safer and more productive inland waterways, setting a new benchmark for environmental stewardship and waterway management in the country.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

A wave of excitement swept through the maritime industry following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a six-month extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi.

In a statement issued on June 19th, 2026, and signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu said the extension was necessary to enable Adeniyi to consolidate ongoing reforms, particularly the implementation of the National Single Window project, while also ensuring an orderly succession process within the service.

According to the Presidency, Adeniyi’s current tenure was due to expire on August 1st, 2026.

The six-month extension will now keep him in office until February 2027.

During the transition period, Adeniyi is expected to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service Board to oversee the promotion of qualified officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs and facilitate the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained the statutory retirement age of 60 years or completed 35 years in service.

Adeniyi joined the Nigeria Customs Service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 1980s.

He steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller-General in 2020, and Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023 before being appointed Comptroller-General by President Tinubu in June 2023.

Maritime stakeholders who welcomed the development described the extension as an opportunity for the Customs boss to complete the far-reaching reforms he initiated within the service.

One freight forwarder, who preferred anonymity, described the decision as a positive development.

“This is a welcome development because it will enable the Comptroller-General to complete the reforms he has started in the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

“His tenure has been a watershed in the history of the NCS.

“The service has witnessed unprecedented transformation in its operations, revenue generation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling activities.

“Granting him an extension is a well-thought-out administrative decision by President Tinubu to allow him to complete these achievements.”

Another stakeholder said the extension reflects the confidence of the Presidency in Adeniyi’s leadership.

“The tenure extension is a clear endorsement of Adeniyi’s transformative leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service and the progress recorded under his administration,” the stakeholder remarked.

Industry observers believe the extension will provide continuity for ongoing modernization initiatives and help sustain the momentum of reforms aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, revenue collection, and border security.