Water safety: NIWA to introduce fibre-operated boats

National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is set to replace old commercial wooden boats plying Nigeria’s waterways with ‘fibre-operated boats’ to ensure safety of passengers plying the waterways.

NIWA Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Bola Oyebamiji made the revelation in Lokoja on Sunday while speaking with journalists at the sideline of the NIWA 2025 management retreat.

In attendance at the retreat were the Authority’s area managers, Deputy managers , union leaders and top security personnel.

Oyebamiji told the newsmen that the new Fibre operated boats were being introduced to reduce boat mishaps to the barest minimum and ensure passengers safety.

The NIWA Chief Executive also revealed that the authority will intensify training for divers and engage in more advocacy visits to residents of riverine areas and other stakeholders.

His words ” Our main target is to ensure passengers’ safety on our Inland waterway ways. We don’t want boat mishaps again. So, the focus is not on sanctions but reducing the mishaps to the barest minimum.

” That is why we are replacing the old commercial boats plying our inland waterways with Fibre operated boats.This will become effective anytime from first or second quarter. We are also to engage in more advocacy visits to riverine areas with a view to educating residents and other stakeholders more on the safety of water passengers. We are also intensifying training for the divers to ensure that our passengers are adequately taken care of. “

Oyebamiji had earlier assured the attendees at the retreat that the Authority would make resources available where required to ensure that staff are motivated to put in their best.

The NIWA Chief Executive was hopeful that with the strategies being put in place by the management in 2025, the Authority would record improvements in the revenue being generated in its offices nationwide.

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