The House Committee on National Inland Waterways has commended the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, for his exceptional leadership and transformative achievements since assuming office. The commendation came during the committee’s oversight visit to NIWA’s operational headquarters in Lokoja, where they assessed the Authority’s progress in enhancing inland waterways operations nationwide.

Leading the delegation, the committee chairman, Mr. Ojema Ojotu, emphasized the critical role of inland waterways in Nigeria’s transportation framework, highlighting their potential to ease road congestion, boost connectivity, and stimulate economic growth. However, he also acknowledged challenges such as recurring boat mishaps, flooding, and inadequate infrastructure that continue to plague the sector.
The committee praised Mr. Oyebamiji’s proactive initiatives, including the decentralized safety campaign strategy. These campaigns have raised safety awareness across NIWA’s operational bases, engaging key stakeholders like state commissioners of transportation to tackle insecurity and ensure safer waterways.
Ojotu lauded NIWA’s swift response to accidents, including prompt visits to victims and affected communities, which have significantly built stakeholder confidence.
Ojotu stressed the need for modern infrastructure, calling for dredging of waterways, human capacity development, and acquisition of patrol boats to enhance safety enforcement and emergency response capabilities. Recognizing NIWA’s funding constraints, he advocated for innovative financing solutions such as public-private partnerships to bridge gaps in infrastructure and operational capacity.
“The committee remains committed to pursuing policies and budgetary allocations that align with national priorities, ensuring sustainable growth in the inland waterways sector,” Ojotu assured.

During his presentation, Mr. Oyebamiji detailed NIWA’s achievements, including the launch of the National Transportation Code, the commissioning of new assets like 15 boats, an administrative building, and a staff clinic. He highlighted the introduction of River Marshals to enforce safety regulations and the prioritization of personnel training to enhance operational efficiency.
He also unveiled the proposed 2024 budget, which prioritizes infrastructure development, including dredging operations aimed at boosting economic activities. However, Mr. Oyebamiji lamented the absence of funds for critical dredging projects in the 2024 capital budget, urging the committee for increased financial backing.

“Despite our strategic initiatives, the lack of capital dredging funds hampers our ability to maximize the economic potential of inland waterways. We urgently need your support to address this challenge,” he appealed.
The committee commended NIWA’s efficient management of internally generated revenue (IGR) for administrative and operational needs, describing it as a testament to Mr. Oyebamiji’s prudent leadership. They pledged to facilitate the necessary legislative and financial support to bolster NIWA’s operations and help it achieve its goals.

The visit ended on a collaborative note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to transforming Nigeria’s inland waterways into a safer, more efficient, and economically viable mode of transportation.