Security & Safety
NIWA Boss Urges Waterways Operators To Adhere To Safety Protocols In Kogi
The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji FCIB, has called on boat operators to strictly adhere to protocols on Nigeria’s inland waterways to curb accidents and ensure the safety of lives.
Speaking through Engr. Titus Adoga, NIWA’s Lokoja Area Manager, at a one-day sensitization engagement on Safety Emergency Preparedness and Response held in Girinya, Kogi Local Government Area, Oyebamiji emphasized the need for all boats to be seaworthy, appropriately crewed, and equipped with essential life-saving equipment.
He cautioned against overloading and warned that only licensed and properly trained individuals should be permitted to operate boats on the waterways.
The sensitization campaign, aimed at promoting safety in riverine communities, drew participants from various sectors including traditional rulers, officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), security personnel, and boat operators from different communities.
A major highlight of the event was the distribution of life jackets and a practical demonstration on how to properly wear them, reinforcing the importance of preparedness and safety consciousness on the water.