NIWA calls for collaboration with states on training, jetties construction, others

The Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji on Thursday called on state governments to collaborate with the Authority in the area of training, construction of jetties, route marking, and provision of standardised boats and passenger ferries for their people to ease their daily commuting on the nation’s inland waterways.

Addressing stakeholders on Thursday during a meeting on safety and insecurities on inland waterways, the NIWA Managing Director said that within the last 90 days, officers of the Authority have appeared on more than 26 radio and television stations across Nigeria to speak about the Transportation Code and the need to promote safer inland waterways.

According to Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, “Let me begin by appreciating the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; my mentor and boss, for his leadership and steady hands at the wheel of progress since his assumption of duties at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. “Your Excellency, Sir, you have demonstrated to us that if there is a will, certainly, there is a way. Within a short time in office, you have continued to inspire all of us with your innovative ideas constantly.

“Today’s gathering is yet another in the series of other ideas you have conceived and pushed us to achieve. For NIWA, the first was the launch of the Transportation Code and the harvest of numerous projects and assets that were deployed to inject efficiency into how we conduct our businesses. “Now, this meeting, which has brought the stakeholders together for a critical appraisal of our challenges with a view to finding solutions to them. We are indeed grateful for your leadership, Sir.

“Your Excellencies, NIWA as you know has 23 operational bases excluding its Headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi state. Since the current management team took over the reign of leadership, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, we have continued to invent new ways of doing our business.

“The latest is the ingenuity brought to bear in our campaign programme. As a matter of policy, we have chosen to communicate with our people in their local languages within their comfort zones. “We have implemented sensitisation programmes in more than 25 states of Nigeria. Within the last 90 days, our officers have appeared on more than 26 radio and television stations across Nigeria to speak about the Transportation Code and the need to promote safer inland waterways. Our stories and comments have been featured in more newspapers than ever.

“All these we have done in addition to the deployment of operational assets such as boats, personal safety equipment and personnel to strengthen our operations to safeguard the commuting public on the inland waters. “Additionally, we have brought on board more hands to strengthen our presence on the inland waters. So far, 350 Water Marshals have been positioned to sensitize the boat operators and passengers across different loading platforms. Also, within the first half of the year, we have trained more than 350 boat operators and drivers.
“We have equally continued to remove impediments from the waters to achieve smooth navigation. We have realigned hundreds of our navigational buoys to ensure that channels are marked for captains and boat operators.

“To demonstrate our strong commitment to improved infrastructural facilities across the waterways, with the 2024 budget, we have started gradual but steady improvement of our jetties, and mooring facilities among others, through the implementation of the 2024 Capital budget.

“However, despite what we have done and still doing, the need to have a strong collaboration across all our operational bases cannot be overemphasized. Unless the states of the federation collaborate with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, through NIWA, our race to achieve safer inland water transportation may be prolonged. Transportation on the inland waterways deserves greater attention even than road transportation. Comparatively, the inland waterways have a greater capacity to transport more passengers and goods than other modes of transportation at relatively cheaper cost and faster.

“Yes, NIWA, according to its ACT and the recent judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has the undisputed right to regulate activities on the inland waters and its Rights of Way. However, this does not foreclose collaboration and cooperation from the states as they do with other agencies including the security establishments.

“We, therefore, call on the states to encourage and collaborate with us in the area of training, construction of jetties, route marking and provision of standardised boats and passenger ferries for their people to ease their daily commuting. As you do to users and operators of other modes of transportation, dear Honourable Commissioners of Transportation, we seek your support to achieve this.

“Our dear guests, we count on your sincere contributions at this meeting and look forward to having your informed opinions on the current challenges facing this sector and your subsequent support.”

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