NIWA Demands Share From $700m Cabotage Fund As FG Mulls Disbursement

As the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy plans the disbursement of the $700million Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has pleaded with the federal government to ensure that the authority benefit maximally from the disbursement.

LEADERSHIP reports that the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday, while speaking at the maiden visit to unveil the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023 and commissioning of Police building, hydrographic survey boats, water ambulance among other projects in Lokoja, Kogi state, said the ministry is engaging critical stakeholders in the disbursement of CVFF.

“The ministry is engaging relevant stakeholders to finalise the arrangement for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for the development of the maritime sector. As a ministry, we will continue to create the enabling environment, develop policies and offer the necessary support to grow the Inland Waterways segment of the maritime sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration,” Oyetola stated.

However, at the same event, the managing director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, pleaded with the federal government to ensure that the authority benefits maximally from CVFF disbursement.

“Similarly, we recognise your efforts at ensuring that the Cabotage Fund is disbursed for the greater good of the sector, we therefore plead that NIWA be supported to benefit maximally from this fund and its administrative set-up,” the NIWA boss stated.

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Meanwhile, Oyebamiji pleaded with the minister for support in facilitating funding for the capital dredging of 2000 km and the completion of the ongoing inland port at Ganaja, Lokoja.

“I can assure you that this NIWA Team is primed for success with your kind support. As an agency, we are confronted with many challenges including inter-agencies rivalry occasioned by overlapping functions. This calls for speedy action on the NIWA Act currently before the National Assembly. Also, we are working hard to deliver on the bond signed with the Honourable Minister late last year.

“However, we plead for your support in facilitating funding for our major Key Performance Indicators; the Capital dredging of 2000 km and the completion of the ongoing inland port at Ganaja, Lokoja. These are some of the areas we need your quick intervention for us to achieve our mandates. Sir, with your kind permission, we shall present a list of issues we consider critical to our success for your attention.”

The NIWA boss also stated that a well-motivated workforce is pivotal to organisational success, thereby, putting in place a system which recognised the communities as an important element in our information-sharing and emergency response structure.

“We proceeded further to audit and institutionalise our public engagement strategy by putting in place a system which recognises the communities as an important element in our information-sharing and emergency response structure.

“To achieve our objectives, we started the immediate implementation of Education Grants for all categories of staff. This was followed by the issuance of promotion letters to the deserving staff and the implementation of medical packages for retired Senior Officers.

“We believe that a well-motivated workforce is pivotal to organisational success. We proceeded further to audit and institutionalise our public engagement strategy by putting in place a system which recognises the communities as an important element in our information-sharing and emergency response structure.

“Today, through the Area Offices, we have met and created a database of critical stakeholders and opinion moulders within the ecosystem that can be reached for information dissemination and rapid response. Similarly, we have equally intensified our efforts in public enlightenment and enforcement.

“This is why we are launching the first phase of the water marshal initiatives today. These officers were carefully selected to provide information daily to users of the waterways at selected jetties and loading points. They must ensure that all users adhere strictly to safety regulations.”