In response to the recent spate of boat accidents across several states, the Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), 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.

Mr. Oyebamiji made the call during a one-day consultative forum on safety and security in inland waterways, organized 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,” aimed to address the growing concerns regarding safety hazards in the inland waterways sector.

In his address, Mr. Oyebamiji highlighted NIWA’s ongoing efforts to improve safety, including the recent introduction of a transportation code for public use. He also noted the commissioning of several operational assets such as survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and a passenger ferry. Additionally, NIWA has launched safety awareness campaigns across its operational bases, targeting local communities with messages in their native languages.

Mr. Oyebamiji also acknowledged the vital support from the National Assembly, particularly the ongoing discussions regarding the establishment of coastal guards and the attention being given to safety and security on inland waterways by the House Committee on Inland Waterways.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Oyebamiji appealed to the Honourable Commissioners for Transportation across relevant states to collaborate with NIWA in key areas, including training, safety campaigns, infrastructure development, and financial empowerment. He emphasized that while the challenges facing inland waterways are significant, they can be overcome through joint efforts.

The NIWA CEO expressed hope that the outcomes of the forum would lead to practical solutions that would significantly improve safety and security on the country’s inland waterways.