Boat mishaps: NIMASA, NIWA to ensure safer water transportation

Following the recent mishaps in the inland waterways in the country, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have expressed their readiness to make water transportation safe and viable in Nigeria.

Chairman, Governing Board of NIMASA, Major-General Jonathan Garba (rtd), who commiserated with the families of the victims of the recent marine accidents, said measures would be put in place to make the waterways safe.

The boat mishaps in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State and Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State claimed over 100 lives.

Garba in a statement signed, Adakole Ejegbudu, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja, said NIMASA and NIWA were exploring ways of pooling their knowledge base and other resources together to ensure that water transportation is safe in the country.

According to him, the two bodies would achieve that mandate with other stakeholders in making water transportation a safe and viable mode to enable them play their parts in fulfilling the dream of  President Muhammadu Buhari to fully develop a truly intermodal transport system in the nation.

He said, “I hope to share news of a concrete collaboration strategy between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ) and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and other relevant stakeholders soon.”