Legacy projects, others new face of NIWA, says Mustapha

The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Boss Mustapha, has assured that the agency will strategically grow new businesses across the Nigerian watercourse, adding that it will also embark in wealth creating infrastructure that will add value to water transportation in Nigeria.

The federal agency is saddled with the responsibility of regulating inland waterways transportation in Nigeria.

Addressing the staff of Lagos Area Office Mustapha, who is the newly appointed boss of the Authority, told them to brace-up for new challenges through the creation of wealth, and not be seen only as revenue collectors, a development he wished to be thrown into the dustbin of history.

He urged the staff and management to think outside the box, deal with the visible stagnation in NIWA, and join hands with him to deliver to Nigerians a highly visible, revitalised and technically efficient organisation that the nation can proud of.

“We must show competence and not lose sight of the component of national development through waterways which we must unlock strategically to encourage small businesses in the riverine communities and states to thrive,” Mustapha explained in a statement.

He added that the expectations of change in work ethics will be backed with staff welfare and opportunities of training to generate new revenue lines.

He assured the staff that he has got the character, ability and capacity to deliver a new NIWA, and challenged them to also recreate themselves in the agency so that their children and those yet unborn, would wish to become part of the legacy story of NIWA.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Mr. Muazu Sambo, said his office had compiled the needs of the area office and sent to the NIWA headquarters, and appreciated the new boss for choosing to visit Lagos first among all area offices.

Sambo, accompanied by his Manager, Legal Services and Secretary of NIWA Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Danladi, also led Mustapha to visit selected NIWA private sector stakeholders in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Maroko and Lekki areas of Lagos.

Boat and jetty operators in Public Private Partnership with NIWA visited by Mustapha included the Tarzan Jetty, Texas connection, BICS Garden and Boat Club, Maroko boat jetty and Gracefield Island, Lekki.