The Managing Director and CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has called for media partnership in a drive to enhance safety and security across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Oyebamiji made this appeal during a parley with maritime journalists held in Lagos on October 25, 2024.
In his opening remarks, Oyebamiji acknowledged the critical role journalists play in nation-building, emphasizing that NIWA values the media’s contribution to the agency’s progress and national impact.
He expressed gratitude for the continuous media support NIWA has enjoyed since its origin as the Inland Waterways Department within the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
The session highlighted NIWA’s progress over the past year, including the development of the Water Transportation Code 2023 and the acquisition of 15 operational boats designed to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Oyebamiji attributed these achievements to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s oversight under the leadership of Dr. Gboyega Oyetola. Additionally, he cited NIWA’s focus on enhancing employee welfare, with several capital projects launched to create a better working environment.
However, Oyebamiji noted ongoing challenges surrounding safety and insecurity on Nigeria’s inland waterways. “Despite these accomplishments, safety and security issues often cast a shadow over NIWA’s achievements,” he admitted. To address these concerns, he detailed NIWA’s grassroots-focused safety campaign, which involves local communities and the deployment of water marshals at loading and offloading points nationwide. Since the program’s inception, the number of water marshals has grown from 80 to 350, with personnel recently tasked to conduct 24-hour surveillance in select locations to discourage night travel and prevent overloading.
Highlighting recent discussions in Abuja, Oyebamiji noted that a high-level meeting with transportation commissioners from over 24 states emphasized the urgency of tackling safety challenges on inland waterways.
“Human error remains the leading cause of waterway accidents, primarily due to negligence and a disregard for safety protocols,” he stated. He appealed to the media to champion a safety awareness campaign, underscoring the need for increased public consciousness around waterway safety.
Closing his address, Oyebamiji urged journalists to support NIWA’s mission through media advocacy, encouraging the public to adopt safer practices. “We call on you to help us educate our people on the importance of being safety-conscious,” he concluded, reiterating NIWA’s commitment to fostering safer and more secure inland waterways across Nigeria.