Warredi Enisuoh Seeks Collaborative Action For Inland Waterway Cargo Viability

Harboursandport.com: Lagos, Nigeria – November 11, 2025: Maritime expert and Executive Director of Operations at Tantita Security Services Ltd, Warredi Enisuoh, has called for a coordinated, data-driven approach to optimizing Nigeria’s inland waterway cargo movement, warning that without proper planning, the country risks underutilizing one of its most cost-effective transport channels.

Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Enisuoh stressed that while transporting cargo by sea remains the cheapest mode due to lower fuel costs, the real challenge lies in the logistics beyond the shoreline—particularly the suitability of inland waterways like the River Niger for consistent, large-scale cargo movement.

“You have to think of where you're moving it to next. What is your break-even point, depending on the draft or the depth of the water in the area you are going to?” he said.

He explained that vessel operators often face a trade-off between maximizing cargo load and ensuring navigability, especially in shallow or poorly charted waters. 

Using the River Niger as a case study, he recalled past restrictions on night-time navigation due to security concerns, which further complicate logistics planning.

“At one point, you weren’t even allowed to move after 6 p.m. on the River Niger. That meant you had to plan anchorage points to comply with the curfew,” he noted.

The Tantita Security Services boss raised critical questions about the adequacy of hydrographic data, navigational charts, and biometric mapping of Nigeria’s inland waterways. 

He stressed that without accurate data, operators risk running aground or facing costly delays.

He urged key agencies—the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council—to collaborate and engage the private sector in conducting comprehensive feasibility studies.

“There might be areas you need to dredge. You need buoyage systems to guide vessels safely—not just local knowledge,” he said.

His remarks come amid renewed national interest in decongesting road transport and leveraging Nigeria’s vast inland waterways for cargo movement, especially between Lagos and commercial hubs like Onitsha, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

Capt. Enisuoh’s insights underscore the need for strategic investment in maritime infrastructure, data accuracy, and inter-agency coordination to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.