By Jacinta Nwachukwu
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has stated the need for Nigeria to explore the potentials in inland waterways transportation as it is crucial for economic development of a nation.
Sambo expressed this concern during his valedictory speech with the management and members of staff of his Ministry on Friday in Abuja.
“I am so passionate about inland waterways; I spent 13 years of my life working for National Inland Waterways Authority, and I know what it means to have efficient inland waterways transportation.
“God did not bless Nigeria with 850 kilometers of coastland and about 10,000 kilometers of navigable waterways for nothing.
“God also bless us with fertile lands for agriculture, large deposit of minerals including crude oil, coal and gold, and all these agricultural lands and minerals are along the waterways,” he said.
Sambo said that as at today, 38 states in the U.S depend on only waterways for their economy.
He said that inland waterways are the cheapest way of moving large goods.
Speaking on his relationship with the management and staff, Sambo expressed satisfaction with all their support for him during his service in the Ministry.
He also advised them not to judge anyone without having personal interaction.
The Minister of State, Ademola Adegoroye, while thanking the Minister and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani for their collaboration, thanked God for the opportunity to serve the country.
Also, Ajani thanked the ministers for their leadership roles in the Ministry.
On behalf of the management and staff, the Director, Special Duties of the Ministry, Mrs Vivian Nwosu, said the 10 months of the ministers’ stay in the Ministry has been a period of wonderful relationship.
The Chairman of the Staff Union of the Ministry, Mr Apama Abey, commended the ministers for their hardwork and commitment to welfare of staff.
Abey wished them more success, wealthy and healthy living hereafter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ministers and the Permanent Secretary were given awards for their leadership roles and performance by the sports team of the Ministry. (NAN)