NIGERIA – North Western Marine Command Explores Inland Waterways to Boost Trade Facilitation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), North Western Marine Command (NWMC), Lokoja, has engaged stakeholders on the development of inland waterway transportation as a potential means of improving trade facilitation, easing cargo movement and strengthening collaboration between the Service and private-sector operators.
The meeting which took place at the command headquarters in Lokoja the Kogi State Capital on Friday, 16 October 2026 with the theme “Engaging Stakeholders for Effective Collaboration,” brought together representatives of the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Kogi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KOCCIMA), the National Shippers Association, the Nigerian Miners and Sesame Seed Commodity Association, freight forwarders, and officers and men of the Command.
Welcoming participants, the Comptroller NWMC, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC), Nnamdi Agwu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to operational efficiency, legitimate trade and stronger engagement with the business community.
“We recognise that effective collaboration with stakeholders is essential to improving trade facilitation and supporting economic development. By maintaining open communication and addressing operational challenges together, we can identify practical ways to strengthen legitimate trade and improve the movement of goods across Kogi State and the wider northern region.” DC Agwu said.
During the interactive session, stakeholder representative, Edwin Ignaji highlighted Lokoja’s strategic position at the confluence of the River Niger and River Benue, noting its potential to serve as an inland waterway logistics hub linking agricultural producers, manufacturers and other cargo owners to markets across the country.
Ignaji also drew attention to road transport challenges, including multiple charges, checkpoint delays, storage costs, accidents, security concerns and poor road conditions, adding, “Inland waterway transportation could offer an alternative for some cargo movements, provided the necessary infrastructure, navigational reliability, security and commercially viable operating arrangements were in place.”
“We need to sustained engagement among the Customs Service, relevant government agencies, business associations and private-sector operators to determine how inland waterways can be developed to serve the needs of businesses. Any proposed arrangement must be practical, secure and commercially sustainable.” He added.
Source : NCS
