The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, (ATBOWATON) has urged the National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA) to prioritize the provision of more safety equipment, particularly life jackets to enhance passengers and crew safety.
The association made the appeal on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by its leadership and members to the NIWA, Abuja Area/Liaison Office 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 association, ATBOWATON 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.
Balogun, however, noted that the acute shortage of life jackets remain one of the most critical challenges facing boat operators, stressing that adequate life jackets are critical to protecting both passengers and crew.
The ATBOWATON President also called for mproved navigability of the nation’s inland waterways, saying a more efficient water transport system would 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.
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