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Article Title:
Overhauling of Inland Water Transport System; National Capacity Building Strategy for Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation in Niger-Delta Region, Nigeria
by Ezenwa Anthony. E and Okoroji Lazarus

Abstract:
The study examined the level of development of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in Nigeria. 5 point likert scale measurement questionnaires were used to obtain the primary data while multi staged random sample method was used to obtain the required numbers of National Inland Water Authority (NIWA) staff and ferry operators that constituted the study sample. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The finding of the study shows that the majority of ferry operators in the study area were predominantly youths with moderate education; the level of Government commitment to develop inland water transportation in Nigeria is not significant; the impact of NIWA activities to enhance ferry operation in the study area is not also significant while the extent of operators? commitment in the ferrying business is significant. Based on the findings, some of the recommendations made are as follows: Firstly, all levels of government in the country should be committed in the development of inland water transportation in Nigeria and Niger Delta region in particular. Secondly, NIWA activities in the region should be majorly channeled to enhancing ferrying operations in the study area. Finally, Government Intervention Programmes such Sure-P and Amnesty programmes should also be made to influence the development of inland water transportation in the region. The recommendations are pertinent because of its far reaching effects in boosting National Capacity Building Strategy for Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation in the study area.

Keywords: NIWA; Ferry Operation; National Capacity Building; Poverty Alleviation; Sustainable Development

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