Strengthening Inter-Agency Collaboration

The leadership and members of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) conducted a courtesy visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Abuja Area/Liaison Office on Wednesday. The visit served as a formal platform to congratulate the newly appointed leadership within the Authority.

During the meeting, the delegation extended their well-wishes to the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, and the Area Manager of the Abuja Liaison Office, Mrs. Aisha Eri. The union expressed optimism regarding the future of the maritime sector under the new administrative direction.

National President of ATBOWATON, Dr. Gani Tarzan Balogun, commended NIWA for its consistent support of boat operators nationwide. He specifically highlighted the Authority’s deliberate focus on safety protocols within Nigeria’s waterways, noting that these efforts have already yielded a visible impact in the South West region.

Urgent Need for Safety Infrastructure

Despite acknowledging recent progress, Dr. Balogun drew attention to the significant challenges still facing the industry. He identified the acute shortage of life jackets as a primary concern that requires immediate intervention. The association urged NIWA to prioritize the provision and distribution of safety equipment to ensure the protection of both passengers and crew members.

The union's leadership stressed that the availability of high-quality life jackets is non-negotiable for the growth of the sector. They called on the Authority to facilitate easier access to these essential tools to prevent avoidable tragedies on the water.

Furthermore, ATBOWATON emphasized that improving the navigability of inland waterways would provide a strategic alternative to road transport. Dr. Balogun noted that a functional and safe water transport system is critical to easing the heavy traffic and infrastructure pressure currently experienced on Nigeria’s major highways.

NIWA Commits to Continued Improvements

In his response, the Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, thanked the union for their visit and their commitment to the sector. He assured the delegation that NIWA is fully aware of the challenges mentioned and had already commenced work on several interventions to address them prior to the union's visit.

Mrs. Aisha Eri, the Area Manager for the NIWA Abuja Liaison Office, described the engagement as a welcome development for the region. She encouraged ATBOWATON members to utilize their extensive industry experience to help develop the water transport framework within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Eri expressed confidence that the expertise of the operators would be vital in strengthening safety and operational standards as NIWA continues to expand its oversight and infrastructure development across the country’s inland waterways.