Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to inaugurate landmark NIWA projects in Lokoja
Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, will embark on a significant one-day working visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) headquarters in Lokoja on Tuesday, June 11.
The visit, announced by the minister’s spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, on Saturday, aims to spotlight several key projects and initiatives spearheaded by NIWA.
During the visit, Minister Oyetola will inaugurate 12 fibre-reinforced plastic fast-moving boats and three water ambulances.
These initiatives, according to the statement, are part of a strategic effort to phase out wooden canoes and enhance safety on the waterways, thereby reducing the frequency of accidents.
The NIWA said the deployment of these modern boats is a pilot scheme intended to improve the safety and efficiency of water transportation.
Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of NIWA, expressed enthusiasm about the minister’s visit, emphasising that it provides an opportunity to showcase the progress made under his leadership over the past seven months.
Oyebamiji highlighted that one of his primary mandates upon taking office was to address the persistent issue of accidents on the inland waterways.
“In response to the minister’s directive, we have implemented several measures to enhance safety on our waterways.
“One of our major accomplishments is the gazetting of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulation (2023), which has been in the pipeline for many years.
“This regulation will be officially launched by the Minister and will provide comprehensive guidelines for boat operators and passengers, thereby promoting safer water transportation,” Oyebamiji stated.
The new safety regulations are expected to significantly reduce accidents by providing a structured framework for operations and attracting potential investors to the water transportation sector.
Additionally, the minister will inaugurate three water ambulances designed for prompt search and rescue operations.
These ambulances will be strategically deployed in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Niger, areas identified for their high water traffic.
Oyebamiji concluded, “The deployment of these ambulances marks a critical step towards enhancing our emergency response capabilities on the waterways. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all waterway users.”
Oyetola’s visit demonstrates the government’s dedication to improving waterway safety and operational efficiency, setting a new benchmark for water transportation in the country.
