As soon as George Moghalu received his appointment letter as the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority, back then in 2019, he hit the ground running. He has pursued assiduously the development of Nigeria’s inland waterways, bearing in mind that it is the second largest in Africa.
Nigeria is blessed with a large resource base of waterways spanning 10,000 kilometres; about 3,800 kilometres is navigable seasonally. Twenty eight of the nation’s 36 States can be accessed through water. This water resource comprises rivers, creeks, lagoons and lakes, and intra-coastal water whose source is two main rivers, the Niger and the Benue, both of which form a confluence at Lokoja, in Kogi State.
Oguta Lake is the largest natural lake in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria; within the equatorial rainforest region of Niger Delta.
As a matter of fact, there are numerous (about 100) small lakes scattered throughout the country, totaling about 91 km2. The Niger River drainage covers most of the hinterland of Nigeria.
Indeed, Nigeria is the most populous black nation on Earth. It is home to the second largest film industry on the globe whilst also being the fashion, technological and creative hub in Africa. Nigerians are known for their vibrant and friendly energy expressed through diverse creative expressions. However, it is also home to the second largest inland water body in Africa, which covers 10,000 kms.
Coming on board, as NIWA’s MD, the Nnewi-born politician, technocrat and scholar, knew he had lots to do. On assuming office, he rolled up his sleeves and started digging. Since then, he has lived up to the expectation of the President and Nigerians through his unwavering commitment to the discharge of his assignments.
George Nnadubem Moghalu is from Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government of Anambra State and was born on the 10th of December 1962.
Born to the family of Late Chief Gabriel Nwokolo Moghalu and late Chief Mrs Patricia Ifeyinwa Moghalu, he attended the then Santa Maria Primary School in Aba, and later went to High School Aba where he graduated with Division 1 in 1977. He was admitted into Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu and passed with an upper credit.
He is a fellow of Institute of Government Executives; Fellow of Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria; Fellow of African Business School; and a member of Nigerian Institute of Management.In the course of pursuing his career, he has made many firsts, one of which is being the first National Publicity Secretary of All Peoples Party (APP) that later metamorphosed into All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). In 2003, he was the governorship candidate of ANPP in Anambra state.
In discharging his duties as the chief custodian of the waterways in Nigeria, Moughalu has ensured an high spate of development at National Inland WaterWays Authority (NIWA) Headquarters Lokoja, Kogi state as well across all the liaison and area offices of NIWA in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, many describe Dr. George Moghalu as a patriotic Nigerian with good leadership qualities, “that if properly harnessed will better the lots of every Nigerian devoid of ethnicity, religion or political affiliations”.
In the course of his leadership at NIWA, Moughalu has given the Headquarters of National Inland WaterWays Authority in Lokoja a facelift, to global standard.
Placing the welfare of staff members in top priority, while instilling love and discipline among the staff is also one of his unequaled feats at NIWA. This has yielded increased productivity in the various departments within the organization.
Moghalu is a moralist, selfless, patriotic, humble, honest and servant leader who has borne the interest and social well-being of the citizens at heart by facilitating the rehabilitation of decrepit and deplorable seaport to boost economic activities in the South-East. He has given his people a sense of belonging.
Lokoja River Port is on the verge of completion and would soon be operational. This, of course, will generate revenue for the federal government.
Towards the end of last year, Moughalu said the problem of variation that stalled the completion of the all important project has been addressed by President Muhammadu Buhari. He added that the contractor has been mobilised back to site for the completion of the project.
Many will recall that over N1.6 billion contract for the supply and installation of the sixty-four (64) ton mobile harbour crane has been signed between the management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Messrs Liebherr Nigeria Limited, for the Lokoja-Jamata River Port Complex was signed in 2019.
On getting there, Moughalu ensured the contract accelerated the completion of Lokoja port to boost the economic activities of the state and by extension the country at large.
Apart from the constant training of its staff members, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), under Dr. George Muoghalu also conducts training workshops on the Safe services on inland waterways for Youths. The last one held in Badagry was in conjunction with a NGO.
NIWA also plans to build a modern multimillion naira jetty in the coastal area. A fore-sighted MD, Moughalu would say the aim was to decongest the roads and seaports.
Dr. Moghalu has also ensured that NIWA continues working with its partners to develop the waterways in order to take the pressure away from the roads and seaports.
He has also adopted measures to ensure safety on the nation’s waterways: “We are also very much concerned with safety and have taken measures to make sure that all our captains are qualified, well trained and licensed. No one will also be allowed on board without wearing a life jacket”, he said recently.
Moughalu has also stayed adherent to the blueprint, in ensuring the Baro port in Niger state, which is part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to enhance the nation’s infrastructural development especially in the area of transportation, remains key in the upliftment of economy as well as creation of jobs.
NIWA since inception from 1998 has achieved a lot, including: two years of capital and maintenance dredging of River Niger; completion of rehabilitated of Onitsha River Port, which is undergoing concessioning completion of Baro River Port with cargo handling equipment to be purchased in this year; purchase of patrol boats for security, concessioning of ferries to yield revenue; and purchasing of six clearing water hyacinth equipment among others.
Having the second largest river in Africa, NIWA under Dr. Moughalu has given no excuse in utilizing our inland waterways. He has given the assurance that he will work with all development partners, and this he has been doing without fault. He sure has been enjoying the enabling environment, which has yielded in giving in his best. Dr. Moughalu has no reason to fail Mr. President, nor to fail Nigerians.
No wonder the national leadership and board of directors of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola-Shettima (AABO-S) Support Organization announced Dr George Moghalu as a national patron of the organization.
The appointment of Chief Moghalu is no doubt premised on his track records, excellent antecedents and his core belief in the All Progressive Congress led government.
While extolling the salient virtues of Chief Moghalu, many APC stalwarts describe the NIWA boss as an adherent progressive.
Muoghalu was the vice chairman of ANPP South East and the Former National Auditor of the APC.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
