Headlines
NIWA begins enforcement of approved safety jackets among boat operators —as ATBOWATON inaugurate Gbaji Yeke jetty

Oladimeji Ige
“NIWA has noticed the growing trend of various colours of life jackets in use by boat operators and hereby sent notice that it will no longer be business as usual as we shall begin enforcement from next month to enable ATBOWATON members comply,”
Mr Shehu Shuaibu, who represented the NIWA Lagos Area, declared.
At the inauguration of the jetty constructed by the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Mr Gani Balogun, the President of ATBOWATON, said that the initiative was to facilitate ease of movement and safety of growing numbers of boat operators and water users in the area.
He commended initiatives of the Gbaji Yeke jetty facilitator, Mr Joseph Phillip, for putting up the facility, constructed in line with extant safety regulations of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He reiterated that under his watch as ATBOWATON President, more of such water transportation facilities would be provided by prominent members across the state.
He pointed out that it was to help rural littoral communities to commute to and from other communities, and the city centres, thereby, driving development, speedy growth of the rural areas and creating jobs.
“As much as we appreciate the support given to us to manage some jetties in Lagos by NIWA and Lagos State government, we are not relenting to provide more jetties to most unreached communities as veritable partners to national and states water transportation development agenda.
“Though it is an expensive venture, ATBOWATON believes that it is part of our mandate to help unlock and link the treasures in most remote communities in Lagos and help drive rural development and create jobs,” he said.
Balogun also praised the dedication and sacrifice of the Badagry chapter Chairman of ATBOWATON, Mr Tope Fajemirokun, for making the area new bride of water transportation in the state.
He added that the Gbaji Yeke jetty would help to solve the demand for additional jetty facilities in and around the strategic intra water transportation ecology between Badagry West local government, Ogun and Porto Novo.
Earlier in his address, Phillip said that the Gbaji Yeke jetty initiative was primarily to help open up the community which was at the heart and centre of Badagry West local government for development and to create jobs for the young and old.
He added that the boat operation known as “Only God”, needed a jetty hub in the area to effectively provide water transportation services to its growing clients and for other boat operators under ATBOWATON leadership.
Headlines
Aftermath of Adeyanju’s exit, crisis resurfaces in MWUN

Headlines
NIMASA embarks on digital revolution to plug revenue leakages, enhance optimum operations

— spurns smear campaign against the process
“To set the records straight, following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, the current leadership of NIMASA resolved to embrace technology as a means of enhancing the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its regulatory mandate more effectively and to bring into the coffers of government additional revenue ensure funds due government does not end up in private hands.
“A pivotal innovation in this regard is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS).
“The additional recipients targeted are, waste reception services, a routine operation for both domestic and international vessels have traditionally lacked proper tracking, resulting in unmonitored activities and significant revenue losses.
“Marine pollution control, another critical area of NIMASA’s mandate, has similarly been constrained by limited digital tools. In the absence of satellite tracking and automated reporting, pollution events often go unnoticed or are reported too late to mitigate their impact.
“It is important to emphasize that past revenue shortfalls experienced by the Agency mainly stemmed from outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms which allowed some external elements to capitalize on the loopholes for personal gains .
“The current reforms being implemented by NIMASA are focused squarely on overcoming these limitations.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the misleading reports and instead support NIMASA’s transformation journey as it aligns with the broader national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“The Agency remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing revenue for the nation.
“It is worthy of note that the Deep Blue Project of the Agency which now enjoys global recognition also witnessed such resistance at the initial stage” the agency noted.
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