AJOKE PHILIPS
In other to end incessant boat mishaps onnthe nations inald wayerways, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMM&BE), Hajiya Fatima Mahmood, has urged the management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to broaden safety awareness campaigns to religious centres to reach more water users and operators.
She disclosed this during a meeting with management of NIWA led by the acting managing director, Alhaji Yusuf Girei, on familiarising the Permanent Secretary with NIWA’s operations and assessing how the Authority’s programmes align with the Ministry’s mandate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The permanent secretary, however, encouraged closer collaboration with sister agencies, improved human capital development, stronger engagement with the media for public enlightenment, and regular updates to the Ministry on NIWA’s activities and progress.
She further urged the management of the NIWto strengthenng safety awareness and improve service delivery across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Speaking earlier, the acting NIWA MD said NIWA has continued to roll out initiatives with visible impact in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Girei noted that the Authority is sustaining collaboration with the private sector to enhance efficiency and expand service delivery.
According to him, such partnerships remain vital to unlocking the economic potential of inland waterways while improving navigation, infrastructure and safety standards nationwide.