The leadership and members of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, ATBOWATON, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Abuja Area/Liaison Office.
The visit was to congratulate the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, and the Area Manager, Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Mrs. Aisha Eri, on their recent appointments.
Speaking on behalf of the union, its National President, Dr. Gani Tarzan Balogun, commended NIWA for its consistent support to operators nationwide. He particularly acknowledged the Authority’s deliberate focus on the safety of Nigeria’s waterways, with notable impact in the South West region.
Dr. Balogun, however, drew attention to one of the most pressing challenges facing boat operators: the acute shortage of life jackets. He appealed to NIWA to prioritize the provision of more safety equipment, stressing that adequate life jackets are critical to protecting both passengers and crew.
The ATBOWATON President further noted that improving the navigability of the nation’s inland waterways would significantly ease pressure on Nigeria’s roads. According to him, a functional water transport system offers commuters and cargo operators a safer and more efficient alternative to road travel.
In his response, the Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, thanked the union for the visit. He assured members that NIWA had already commenced work on many of the concerns raised, noting that interventions were underway well before the delegation’s visit.
Also speaking, the Area Manager, NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Mrs. Aisha Eri, described the visit as a welcome development. She urged ATBOWATON members to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the FCT, expressing optimism that their expertise would help strengthen water transportation in the region.