NIWA MANAGING DIRECTOR CALLS FOR COLLABORATION WITH STATES ON SAFETY AND SECURITY ON INLAND WATERWAYS
The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, FCIB has called for more collaboration between the Authority and state governments to enhance the safety and security of Inland Waterways transportation in the country.
The MD disclosed this in a goodwill message at a one-day consultative forum on safety and insecurities on Inland Waterways, organized by the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum in Ilorin. He emphasized the critical role that safety and security play in fostering a thriving water transportation system.
The forum, themed “Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety in Ilorin, Kwara State,” sought to address the pressing issues facing the Inland Waterways sector.
Represented by Dr. Wale Tijani the Technical Adviser to the MD, and Engr. Mohammed Dangana GM Special duties, acknowledged the ongoing efforts by NIWA to improve safety, such as the recent unveiling of the transportation code for public use, the inauguration of several operational assets including survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and a passenger ferry. He also noted that safety campaigns have been launched across all operational bases, targeting local communities in their native languages.
He highlighted the support from the National Assembly, including the ongoing discussions on establishing coastal guards and the attention safety and security on Inland Waterways have received from the House Committee on Inland Waterways.
“In closing, I therefore call on the Honourable Commissioners for Transportation across the relevant states not to relent but to be ready to collaborate with us especially in the Area of training, safety campaign, infrastructural development and financial empowerment to achieve the best for our people. Yes, the task is huge and challenging but it is surmountable. I therefore wish the forum a happy deliberation while waiting for implementable outcomes at the end of the day, I thank you all” he stated.
Source : NIWA
