The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger partnership aimed at reducing boat accidents and improving safety across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The renewed commitment was made on Tuesday when the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Malam Umar Yusuf Girei, received the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr, during a courtesy visit to the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The meeting focused on expanding collaboration between both agencies through intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and improved safety initiatives designed to curb the rising incidence of boat mishaps nationwide.
Girei stressed that effective collaboration among government agencies remains essential to enhancing navigation safety, safeguarding passengers and protecting property on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
He reaffirmed NIWA’s determination to work closely with sister agencies in strengthening regulatory enforcement and promoting higher operational safety standards across the water transport sector.
According to him, the authority is prepared to provide technical expertise, operational support and relevant information that will assist the NSIB in carrying out prompt and comprehensive investigations into marine incidents.
He noted that the outcome of such investigations would help identify risk factors, improve safety policies and prevent future accidents on the nation’s waterways.
Speaking earlier, NSIB Director General Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr said the visit underscored the bureau’s resolve to deepen institutional cooperation with NIWA in advancing transportation safety.
Badeh explained that both organisations would intensify collaboration in accident investigation, safety data exchange and the development of stronger preventive measures to improve public confidence in inland water transportation.
The renewed partnership signals a coordinated effort by NIWA and NSIB to strengthen marine safety governance, reduce avoidable boat mishaps and build a safer, more efficient inland waterways system that supports Nigeria’s economic growth.