NIWA To Increase Patrol Of Waterways

Managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, has emphasised the need to boost security on the inland waterways.

Oyebamiji, who made the call during his tour of the Warri and Onitsha area offices, said the agency will collaborate more with security outfits to ensure more patrols on the nation’s inland waterways.

He, however, called for deeper private sector participation in the blue economy initiative to harness greater benefits for national development.

“We will be looking at possible ways to increase collaboration with the various security agencies to ensure more patrols on the nation’s waterway,” the NIWA MD stated.

The NIWA boss further stated that the authority is determined to revamp the nation’s economy by consolidating on Public/Private Partnerships (PPP) initiatives.

“This initiative is part of our deliberate plans to open up new opportunities to maximise the full economic potential of the nation’s waterways.

“The PPP is the way to go but we need people or investors, who have genuine intentions and purposes to enable us to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic recovery,” he said.

The NIWA managing director tasked the staff to live up to expectation by working harder in revenue generation that could open rooms to better their welfare.

He warned the staff against indolence and laxity since he was committed to staff welfare and revenue generation. According to him, there is need for the staff to be disciplined and committed by rededicating themselves to the growth and development of the Authority.

The MD also assured the staff of regular training and retraining for optimum performance.

Oyebamij was reported to have inspected the Onitsha river port complex, the authority’s yard, shoreline, and NIWA newly built concrete jetty