The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has reaffirmed the agency's dedication to maintaining clean, safe, and sustainable inland waterways as Nigeria joins the global community in observing the 2026 World Environment Day.
World Environment Day Theme
This year's celebration, themed “Urbanisation and Climate Change: Building Resilient Cities for a Sustainable Future,” highlights the environmental challenges arising from rapid urban growth and the effects of climate change. In a statement delivered at NIWA Headquarters in Lokoja, Girei extended greetings to cities nationwide, noting that urban areas are increasingly expanding around waterways, which continue to serve as vital hubs for commerce, culture, and economic activity.
Challenges of Urbanisation
He warned that urbanisation places significant strain on the environment, leading to issues such as rising temperatures, flooding, and erosion, all of which demand urgent and coordinated responses. According to Girei, NIWA views inland waterways as natural infrastructure for building urban resilience. Properly managed rivers and channels help mitigate flooding by acting as drainage pathways, while also providing a cleaner, low-carbon alternative for transporting goods and passengers.
NIWA's Commitment
Girei reiterated NIWA's commitment to responsible dredging, protection of riverbanks, and sustained efforts to keep waterways free from pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal. He stressed that the government cannot bear this responsibility alone and urged Nigerians to contribute by disposing of waste properly, planting trees along riverbanks, reporting illegal dredging and encroachment, and supporting environmental protection initiatives.
Call for Sustainable Transport
He further encouraged greater adoption of water transportation as a safer and more sustainable alternative to road transport across the country. NIWA remains dedicated to ensuring that Nigeria's inland waterways are clean, resilient, and capable of supporting sustainable urban development in the face of climate change.
