NIWA to deploy churches, mosques, traditional rulers in educating boat operators

Segun Oladipupo

In its continued efforts at ridding the waterways of incessant boat mishaps, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Friday said the agency would resort to the use of churches, mosques, traditional rulers to reach out physically and to educate boat operators.


The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, in a parley with maritime media, reiterated that aside other means of sensitisation like radio, the agency would go further to engage the waterways users by the use of churches, mosques, religious and traditional leaders to get the buy-in of operators to end the waterways accidents.

According to him, the agency would intensify efforts at sensitising riverine communities on the use of standard life jackets, be educated on the dangers of night travels as well as avoidance of overcrowded boats.

He hinted he had told all Area Managers to submit their fortnight reports on sensitisation activities.

On Baro River port, Moghalu stated that its challenge is access  but expressed delight at federal government’s approval for rail construction and road plans by federal and state governments

He added that the Authority is examining offers from bidders for Lokoja and Oguta River Ports concession.

He further added that the Onitsha River Port Area Management is currently engaging technical partners, from the Port of Antwerp.