The House of Representatives Committee on National Inland Waterways has commended Mr Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), for his remarkable achievements and dedication within a short period of time . NAN Reported.
The Chairman of the House committee, Mr Ojema Ojotu, gave the commendation during an oversight visit to NIWA’s operational headquarters in Lokoja.
He said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
Ojotu, who led the delegation of seven committee members, highlighted the critical role of inland waterways in Nigeria’s transportation framework.
He emphasised NIWA’s potential to enhance connectivity, reduce road congestion, and stimulate economic growth but lamented the challenges of recurring boat mishaps, flooding, and inadequate infrastructure.
He commended the MD’s leadership for implementing various impactful initiatives.
He listed the initiatives as NIWA’s decentralised safety campaign strategy, which involved extensive safety awareness programmes across its operational bases.
“Engaging stakeholders, such as state commissioners of transportation, to address insecurity and safety on waterways.
“The authority’s proactive measures, including immediate visits to accident victims and communities, have built confidence among stakeholders and users of inland waterways,” he said.
Ojotu underscored the importance of modernising infrastructure such as inland ports and navigable channels, as well as dredging waterways to ensure uninterrupted operations.
He called for human capacity development and the acquisition of operational equipment like patrol boats to improve safety enforcement and emergency response.
Acknowledging the funding challenges faced by NIWA, Ojotu advocated innovative financing models such as public-private partnerships and concessional arrangements to bridge gaps in infrastructure and capacity development.
He assured that the committee would continue to push for policies and budgetary allocations aligned with national priorities to promote sustainable development in the inland waterways sector.
The lawmakers pledged to work closely with NIWA to address these challenges, aiming to transform the inland waterways system into a safer, more efficient, and economically viable mode of transportation.
Speaking earlier, Oyebamiji presented a detailed account of NIWA’s activities over the past year, emphasising its focus on safety, infrastructure development, stakeholder engagement, and operational efficiency.
He highlighted key milestones which include the launch of the National Transportation Code and the inauguration of operational assets, such as 15 boats, an administrative building, and a staff clinic.
“Another notable achievement is the inauguration of River Marshals to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
“NIWA has also prioritised the training and retraining of its personnel to enhance operational efficiency, further boosting stakeholder confidence through regular engagement with state actors and stakeholders,” he said.
He also outlined the proposed 2024 budget, which focused on infrastructure development, including dredging operations to improve navigability and boost economic activities.
Oyebamiji pointed out challenges facing the authority, particularly the lack of funding for critical dredging projects in the 2024 capital budget.
He appealed to the committee for increased financial support to enhance NIWA’s operations, particularly in achieving its infrastructure and safety goals.
He also called for legislative backing to strengthen NIWA’s enforcement drive against unsafe practices and bad publicity surrounding inland waterway accidents, regardless of their causes.
