Kogi State Chapter of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed delight over the commencement of the dredging of River Niger. According to the Forum, the control of hyacinth and commencement of the dredging of the Niger would pave way for more navigable and sustainable waterways in the country. The commendation was contained in a statement by the Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Alabi and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today in Lokoja. It said the position of ACF on the issue was made known during its recent State Executive Meeting in Lokoja.

It commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), for developing efficient
national and international transportation strategy. The chapter also noted with delight NIWA's comprehensive hydrographic survey of the waterways carried out within the country and her borders. This positive development, ACF said, "eventually translated into signing of contract and mobilisation of contractors to site for the construction of Lokoja River ports". AFC, which praised the Malam Zubairu Yakubu-led management of the waterways authority, promised to "encourage and give NIWA the necessary support in the years Ahead''