Challenges of Waterway Transportation and Its Utilisation in Rivers State, Nigeria

Waterway transportation holds significant but largely untapped potential in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, where an extensive network of rivers and creeks offers natural corridors for passenger and cargo movement. This study examines the challenges constraining the utilisation of waterway transportation in Rivers State, located in the South South geopolitical zone. A descriptive survey approach was adopted, with data collected from 160 boat operators, waterway commuters, and officials of the Rivers State Waterways Authority through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The study assesses infrastructure availability, safety standards, vessel conditions, regulatory frameworks, and commuter perceptions of waterway services. Findings indicate that the majority of operational watercraft are old, poorly maintained, and lack basic safety equipment, while jetty infrastructure at key embarkation points is in a state of disrepair. Regulatory enforcement is characterised as inconsistent, and life jacket usage is near absent among commuters. Environmental pollution from oil operations and illegal sand-dredging activities further endangers navigation safety. The study recommends a comprehensive waterway development plan backed by state government investment, the modernisation of the vessel registration process, and mandatory safety training for commercial boat operators. These findings are relevant to ongoing discussions on multimodal transport development in the South South zone and provide baseline data for future policy interventions. Keywords: waterway transport, Rivers State, Niger Delta, boat safety, inland navigation.