NIWA pledges to enhance safety on waterways

The newly inaugurated board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has pledged to prioritise safety and infrastructure development on Nigeria’s inland waterways, as members formally assumed office under the leadership of Musa Sarkin Adar.

In his inaugural remarks, Musa Sarkin Adar, chairman of NIWA, said that the board would work closely with management and stakeholders to strengthen NIWA’s mandate, promising to uphold professionalism and build on the achievements of past leadership teams.

“Today marks the beginning of another phase in the history of this great Organisation of repute. I therefore consider myself privileged alongside other members of this board to have been appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, who considered us worthy for these appointments.

“I would also like to specially appreciate the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for recommending us accordingly,” Adar said.

He commended the past visionary board and management teams, who worked tirelessly to achieve the noble objectives for which the Authority was set-up, particularly on infrastructural development of the Inland Waterways and the welfare of the Staff.

“Some of these great men and women have passed on, leaving behind a lasting legacy that has withstood the test of time as shown in the authority’s continued relevance in the maritime sector.

“As the chairman of the board of this great organization, I will do my best to discharge my duties, and undertake to respect the judgment and advice of my fellow members as well as the management. I will join hands with well-meaning stakeholders to create and bequeath an organisation that is better than the one we have today.

“I want to assure you that I will be fully committed and willing to deploy my time and resources towards the attainment of the Authority’s vision to establish and sustain a first-class organisation managed professionally and responsibly; one that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of Nigerians, recognised and respected locally and internationally,” Adar said.

In his welcome address Bola Mr. Bola Oyebamiji , managing director and CEO of NIWA, extended his warm welcome to members to the first meeting of the board.

Oyebamiji said it is an honor to have such a distinguished group of individuals on board, and look forward to working together to drive the authority’s growth and success.

“As we begin this new chapter, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the authority’s current state and our future prospects.

“We have made significant progress/achievements in recent times which includes; Increasing the number of goods and passengers on the inland waterways, enhancing safety on the Inland waterways by ensuring that the Water Transportation Code was processed and gazetted, deployment of more Water Marshals to man loading and off-loading points across the country, sensitising the general public on safety by conducting sensitisation programmes in more than twelve states, while close to six thousand units of standard lifejackets were distributed,” Oyebamiji said.

He noted that this is in addition to NIWA’s annual safety campaigns across jetties and watersides through our operational bases and by enhancing collaboration with state governments such as Bayelsa, Niger, Kwara, Sokoto, and Lagos.

The newly constituted NIWA board of directors include Musa Sarkin Adar, chairman; Bola Oyebamiji, managing director; board members Hussaini Shettima, Jeminiwa Adewale Charles, Ndidi Jenifer Ozegbe, Sadiq Z. Abubakar, Kunle Olugbemiro, Tajudeen Alao, Dele Kelvin Oye, Jerome Andwunwe, and Hoplyn Euore; Naziru Biyankare, secretary; and Suleiman Makama, AGM Corporate Affairs.