NIWA seeks collaboration to boost waterways safety

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has called for stronger collaboration between the federal agency and state governments to improve the safety and security of inland waterways transportation.

Oyebamiji made this call during a recent one-day consultative forum on safety and security challenges in inland waterways transportation, organised by the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The forum, themed “Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards, and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety in Ilorin, Kwara State,” is aimed at addressing the growing concerns surrounding the inland waterways sector.

Oyebamiji emphasised that safety and security are key to the success and growth of water transportation in Nigeria. He highlighted the ongoing initiatives by NIWA to enhance safety, such as the recent introduction of a public transportation code, as well as the commissioning of critical operational assets including survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and passenger ferries.

The NIWA boss also explained that safety awareness campaigns are being conducted across various operational bases, with efforts tailored to local communities and delivered in their native languages.

He commended the support of the National Assembly, particularly the discussions surrounding the establishment of coastal guards and the attention the House Committee on Inland Waterways has accorded safety and security concerns.

Oyebamiji appealed to the state’s Commissioners for Transportation to collaborate more closely with NIWA, particularly in areas of training, safety campaigns, infrastructure development, and financial support.

Despite the challenges, he remained optimistic, stressing that collective action can overcome the difficulties currently facing the sector. He expressed hope that the forum would yield actionable and implementable outcomes, contributing significantly to safer and more secure inland waterways in the future.