Tag: NIWA

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has projected N34.389billion as revenue target for 2025 fiscal year.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, disclosed this when he appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Marine Transport in Abuja.

Oyebamiji further disclosed that of out of the expected N34.389billion revenue, the agency would remit the sum of N9.054billion into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government.

He said the proposed N9.054billion remittance represented a 200 per cent increase when compared to the sum of N2.625billion the agency remitted into the CRF in 2024.

He said the N9.054billion projected to be remitted into CFR in 2025 comprise of 50 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) remittance which is N2.756billion, 40 per cent of Port Development Levy (PDL) remittance which is N5.775billion.

Others according to him, are proceeds from lease of properties estimated at N496.894million and Tender Documentation in the sum of N25.629million, all totalling N9.054billion.

Read Also: NIWA warns against drunk driving, rickety boats to avoid accident

He said: “The  projected astronomical increase on revenue to be remitted by NIWA into the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2025, largely arose from the estimated N28.875billion Port Development Levy in the fiscal year as against N13.219billion realised in 2024.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC – Lagos Central), urged the Managing Director of NIWA to move from 91 per cent budget performance it recorded in 2024 to 100% in 2025.

“Your projected IGR and remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund when compared to those of 2024, are encouraging but this committee believes that NIWA can even surpass its projections in this fiscal year.

“That is what we want to hear at the end of the year because the country needs more revenue and remittances to fund its yearly budget,” he said.

END

The  National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has expressed concern over the rising cases of boat accidents in the country.

It attributed  90 percent of the accidents to human error and advised water transportation users to steer clear of substandard boats and unprofessional boat drivers.

NIWAManaging Director Bola  Oyebamiji stated these at a technical meeting with boat manufacturers in Abuja.

 Oyebamiji emphasised the need for the National Assembly to pass the Coastal Guards Bill to improve safety and security on waterways.

He said that the low level of professionalism among some boat operators was a major source of worry to the body.  The NIWA  boss added that many of the boat operators/ drivers consume alcohol and substances even in the morning time.

His words:  “I was at a training session with some boat drivers and discovered that we have a long way to go in this country.

“Many of our boat operators are not only untrained but get inside the boats already intoxicated even in the early hours of the day. This is unacceptable, and we are working tirelessly to address these issues.

“To tackle the challenges posed by substandard wooden boats, NIWA has intensified its collaboration with indigenous boat builders to phase out these boats from the system.

Read Also: NIWA calls for states’ collaboration to enhance inland waterways safety

‘’The initiative aims to encourage the production and use of safer, modern boats that meet global standards. This effort is part of NIWA’s broader strategy to improve the quality of water transportation and enhance safety.

“We are actively working with indigenous boat builders to replace wooden boats with durable, safer alternatives,” Oyebamiji noted.

“This collaboration is key to eliminating unsafe practices and ensuring the long-term safety of passengers on our waterways.”

“Additionally, NIWA has intensified its sensitisation campaigns across various riverine communities to raise awareness about the dangers of using unsafe boats and to promote adherence to safety protocols.

 “We have visited numerous riverine villages and cities to advocate for safety on our waterways.

 “But for us to achieve comprehensive safety and security, we appeal to the National Assembly to help prioritise and pass the Coastal Guards Bill. This will equip us with the necessary tools to regulate and secure our waterways effectively.”  

Oyebamiji reaffirmed NIWA’s commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers using the country’s waterways.

He called for collective efforts from boat operators, passengers, and policymakers to prevent future tragedies.   

The most recent boat accident in the country was on  December 16, 2024, when many people lost their lives in River Benue. 

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has reiterated its commitment to collaborate with traditional institutions in combating incessant boat mishaps across waterways. 

The Managing Director of NIWA, Bolaji Oyebamiji, states this during an on-the-spot assessment of the recent boat mishap that led to the loss of lives in Dambo,  Kupa Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The Managing Director lamented over the constant loss of lives through water transportation saying that all hands need to be on deck to stop these incidents from happening.

He said that the ultimate goal of the Agency is to bring an end to the frequent boat accidents across waterways in the country.

The on-the-spot assessment visit was aimed at finding the remote cause of the accident that led to the loss of lives of traders who were on their way to Katcha market from Ebbi in Kupa Local government area of Kogi state.

The accident was said to have been caused by a tree stump covered by water and overloading, which led to the death of an unspecified number of people.

Read Also: CSOs lament lack of transparency in procurement processes

At the time of conducting the on-the-spot assessment, some bodies were still being recovered. Calls were received about some bodies sighted in some neighbouring communities while some were floating on the river. 

One of the survivors, Aisha Alhasan, who narrated her ordeal, said though she survived after being rescued by villagers around the scene of the accident, she, however, lost her 10-year-old son in the unfortunate incident.

One of the rescuers in the community said that he came outside his house, which was close to the river, when he heard shouts of the passengers when the boat was about to capsize, adding that he saw the boat capsize and had to mobilize others to rescue the people.

He said that they could not get all the people as some of them had already drowned before the rescue team met up with them.

NIWA search and rescue team also had earlier rescued some of the victims as well as some corpses.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Bola Oyebamiji, has called for closer collaboration between the federal agency and state governments to improve safety and security on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Speaking at a one-day consultative forum in Ilorin, Kwara State, Oyebamiji emphasised the need for collective action to address the sector’s pressing challenges.

The forum, organised by the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum and themed “Prevalent Safety, Security Hazards and Practices in Inland Waterways: Passenger Transport Safety”, brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on solutions to the safety and security concerns plaguing water transportation.

 “Safety and security are the backbone of a thriving inland waterways transportation system. Without them, the sector cannot reach its full potential,” Oyebamiji stated.

He appealed to state governments to partner with NIWA in areas such as training, public safety campaigns, infrastructure development, and financial empowerment to enhance the sector’s resilience.

“The challenges we face are significant, but they are surmountable through collaboration and coordinated efforts. This forum is an opportunity for us to collectively chart a course toward safer and more secure inland waterways,” he added.

Oyebamiji outlined several initiatives undertaken by NIWA to bolster safety, including the unveiling of a comprehensive transportation code for public use and the deployment of new operational assets. These include survey boats, gunboats, water ambulances, and a passenger ferry aimed at improving emergency response and surveillance capabilities.

“We have also launched safety campaigns across all our operational bases, with messages tailored to local communities in their native languages. These efforts underscore our commitment to fostering a culture of safety across the waterways,” he said.

The NIWA CEO acknowledged the support from the National Assembly, particularly the House Committee on Inland Waterways, which has prioritised discussions on establishing coastal guards to strengthen security.

Read Also: NIWA to phase out wooden boats on inland waterways

“The legislative backing we have received is pivotal. It reflects a shared recognition of the importance of safety and security in water transportation,” he noted.

Oyebamiji expressed optimism about the forum’s outcomes, highlighting the importance of actionable and implementable strategies. “I believe that the recommendations from this forum will significantly contribute to ensuring safer and more secure inland waterways for Nigerians,” he remarked.

As the forum concluded, participants, including state transportation commissioners and industry experts, echoed the need for collaborative efforts to address the sector’s challenges. With strengthened partnerships and coordinated actions, stakeholders remain hopeful that the inland waterways sector will emerge as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure.

The Managing Director of National Island Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, has donated 300 life jackets to Gbajibo and its environs to forestall future boat mishaps, adding that henceforth, water travel without a life jacket is an offence.

Oyebamiji warned boat owners to desist from overloading and travelling on the waterways at night, declaring that river Marshalls have been inaugurated to ensure that the prohibition on night travel is maintained. 

The Managing Director stated this during a sympathy visit and presentation of 300 life jackets at Gbajibo in Mokwa local government over the incident of the boat accident.

He said the last boat mishap that occurred recently would not have happened if the river marshals had been inaugurated and on the ground, as well as the lack of adhering to waterways codes had been adhered to by the boat owner. 

It would be recalled that a boat conveying about 300 passengers capsized at Gbajibo on Independence Day with only 150 people rescued alive and about 100 persons still missing.

“Our River Marshalls have been inaugurated and will now be operating shifts from 7 pm to 6 am to ensure no boat owner operates in the night. It will not be palatable for both boat owners and travellers caught travelling at night”

“We will also collaborate with the Niger state Government to bring a boat for an ambulance and another for surveillance to ensure quick response during boat mishaps to avert lost of lives,” he said.

Earlier, the District Head of Gbajibo, Alhaji Mahmudu, called on NIWA, Niger state Government and HYPPADEC to urgently come up with ways to mitigate future boat mishaps not only at Gbajibo but across the country.

Read Also: Boat accidents: NIWA reaffirms need for safety on water ways

He lamented: “Gbajibo has recorded a lot of boat mishaps with a lot of lives lost. We are appealing to you to provide us with marine police, flying boats for quick response, and more life jackets because what we have is not enough.”

The Niger state chairman of the Boat Owners Association, Attahiru Bawa Isah, attributed most boat accidents lack of following waterways codes by his members, such as overloading, no life jackets, and quality of boats, among others. 

He expressed pain at the constant loss of lives at the waterfronts annually, saying the Association is prepared to work with the Agency alongside the Niger state ministry for Transportation, NSEMA and HYPPADEC to tackle the situation. 

• Agency gives out kits

Safety on waterways remains our priority, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has said.

The agency read the riot act to operators, passengers and other categories of people travelling on waterways.

It also cautioned against night travelling.

Managing Director of NIWA Bola Oyebamiji spoke during his visit to commiserate with people of Gbajibo community in Kwara State.

Boat accidents have occurred repeatedly in recent weeks in Kwara, Niger, Kebbi communities with accompanying fatalities.

Yesterday, there was a boat accident which claimed five lives in Lagos.

The NIWA Boss frowned at the way and manner boat operators and passengers do flout safety tips, noting that overloading and nonuse of life jackets while traveling on waterways by operators or passengers would attract stiffer penalties.

Oyebami explained that water marshals will start working both day and night to enforce the water regulations code in order to further enhance smooth operations across the waterways.

The NIWA Boss ordered immediate arrest of the boat owner and driver of the capsized boats in the Kwara community.

Read Also: Tinubu orders NIWA to investigate Niger, other boat mishaps

He expressed heartfelt condolences over the ugly incident and distributed life jackets and other safety kits to the people.

He noted that the federal government was irrevocably committed to continuously guaranteeing adequate protection and safety of lives and property of the citizens on the nation’s waterways.

Oyebami reassured the residents of the community in particular and Nigerians in general the unwavering commitment of the Authority to keep the waterways safe for all.

He also implored the waterways users to always comply and adhere strictly to safety tips.

Hundreds of boat operators, passengers, stakeholders among others benefitted immensely from the free safety kits distributed.