NIWA distributes 6,000 life jackets as Board commits to waterways safety

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) said it has distributed nearly 6,000 life jackets as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Managing Director of NIWA Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, disclosed this during the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted NIWA Board of Directors.

In his welcome address to the new board, Oyebamiji highlighted key achievements of the authority, including the gazetting of the Water Transportation Code and the deployment of more Water Marshals to manage loading and off-loading points nationwide.

He also noted extensive public sensitization campaigns conducted in more than twelve states, in addition to annual safety campaigns at jetties and watersides as well as enhancing collaboration with the state governments such as Bayelsa, Niger, Kwara, Sokoto, and Lagos.

Earlier in his inaugural speech, NIWA Board Chairman,, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him alongside his fellow board members.

He also thanked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for the recommendation.

Hon. Adar praised the visionary work of past NIWA boards and management teams, whose lasting legacy, he said has ensured the authority’s continued relevance in the maritime sector.

“Some of these great men and women, have passed on, leaving behind a lasting legacy that have withstood the test of time as shown in the Authority’s continued relevance in the Maritime Sector, ” he said.

He expressed committment to working with management and stakeholders to build a stronger organization.

“I will do my best to discharge my duties, and undertake to respect the judgment and advice of my fellow members as well as the Management.

“I will join hands with well-meaning stakeholders to create and bequeath an organization that is better than the one we have today”.

“I want to assure you that I will be fully committed and willing to deploy my time and resources towards the attainment of the Authority’s vision to establish and sustain a first-class organization managed professionally and responsibly; one that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of Nigerians and recognized and respected locally and internationally,” he stated.

The newly appointed members of the Board of Directors are: Chairman: Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Managing Director: Bola Oyebamiji FCIB.

Members: Hussaini Shettima, Jeminiwa Adewale Charles, Dr. Ndidi Jenifer Ozegbe, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Z. Abubakar, Surv. Kunle Olugbemiro, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, Mr. Dele Kelvin Oye, Capt. Jerome Andwunwe, and Hon. Hoplyn Euore and
Secretary: Barr. Naziru Biyankare.