The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Bola Oyebamiji, has urged Commissioners for Transportation in coastal states to partner with the agency in areas such as training, safety campaigns, infrastructure development, andfinancial empowerment.

Speaking at a one-day consultative forum on safety and insecurity in inland waterways, held in Ilorin, Kwara State, Oyebamiji emphasised the importance of collaboration between the federal agency and state governments to enhance the safety and security of water transportation.

The forum, organised by the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum, was themed: “Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety.” It sought to address critical challenges facing the inland waterways sector.

Highlighting NIWA’s efforts to improve safety, Oyebamiji mentioned the recent launch of a transportation code for public use and the commissioning of operational assets such as survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and a passenger ferry. He also noted the agency’s extensive safety campaigns targeting local communities in their native languages across all operational bases.

The NIWA boss praised the support from the National Assembly, including ongoing discussions on establishing coastal guards and the increased focus by the House Committee on Inland Waterways on safety and security issues.

While acknowledging the challenges confronting the sector, Oyebamiji expressed optimism that collective efforts and actionable outcomes from the forum would enhance the safety and security of inland waterways transportation.