Water Transport

Another boat capsizes in Kogi as NIWA sends team to rescue missing passengers.

Funso OLOJO

Fresh tragedy struck on Nigeria’s waterways when a wooden boat capsized on the waters of Ebe community in Kupa South Local Government Area of Kogi state.

The wooden craft, operated by an unknown boat operator, left with unsubstantiated number of passengers at the wee hour of Friday, November 29th, around 1 am in the morning,from an abandoned jetty with intent to beat NIWA’ s tight surveillance on the waterways.

Preliminary findings by NIWA indicated that the wooden boat was travelling to the Katcha market in Niger State when it suddenly went under due to poor visibility and overloading.

There are no details of lives lost so far as at the time of this report.

NIWA has set up an investigation panel to ascertain the real cause of the accident, the total number of passengers onboard, and the owner of the craft.

Meanwhile, the top management team of NIWA is leading and coordinating the rescue operations as well as making sure the survivors of the boat mishap receive urgent medical attention.

NIWA promised to release more information after the investigation has been concluded.

” We are shocked by this incident despite all our efforts to sensitize Nigerians about safety measures on waterways.

” Not quite long, we unveiled the National Waterways Transportation Code, visited communities and stakeholders to make them have a buy in to our strategy to curb accidents on water, and also discussed with State governors in Nigeria to partner with us in providing safe water crafts to help move people and goods safely across our waterways and now sadly , this happened.

“NIWA will investigate this accident and will prosecute the boat captain and owner for deliberate disobedience to the Extant law on waterways, Bola Oyebamiji, NIWA MD , declared.

Headlines

Indigenous maritime investors seek partnership with NIWA for mutual development of inland waterways

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

A coalition of indigenous maritime tourism and transportation investors has pledged to unlock strategic investment opportunities aimed at developing Nigeria’s vast but largely untapped maritime tourism economy for the benefit of littoral communities in Lagos and across the country.

The group, Allied Concessionaires and Blue Economy Alliance, made the commitment during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engineer Sarat Braimah, on Tuesday at the NIWA Lagos Area Office.

Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the coalition, Bolaji Olasade, explained that the alliance is made up of reputable and experienced maritime tourism and transportation operators committed to redefining waterfront recreation and hospitality by integrating safe and efficient water transportation systems.

He noted that the initiative is designed to create jobs, boost coastal tourism, and expand economic opportunities within Lagos and beyond.

“We came to formally introduce our coalition, which is not a conventional association but a consortium of visible and tested operators, mostly concessionaires, who are willing and ready to collaborate with NIWA to grow and develop inland waterways tourism infrastructure.

“We are also focused on opening up littoral communities through destination marketing and the promotion of resorts,” Olasade stated.

He added that the group seeks to reposition Nigeria’s brown water and blue economy sectors by transforming the country’s waterfront hospitality and tourism landscape into a globally competitive industry.

In her remarks, the Secretary of the coalition, Barrister Dorcas Aderemi, emphasized that the Nigerian marine and blue economy sector can only thrive when the inland waterways ecosystem is strategically aligned for sustainable investment and funding.

She called for a structured public-private partnership model between the private sector and NIWA to fast-track development and enhance inland waterways utilization.

According to her, such collaboration would not only stimulate economic growth and job creation but also significantly boost government revenue and national development.

The group commended Engineer Braimah for her leadership and commitment to industry growth, particularly her zero-tolerance stance on boat transportation accidents and security infractions on inland waterways in Lagos.

They also congratulated her on her recent Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award, describing it as a testament to her dedication to national service.

Responding, Engineer Braimah welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for their interest in partnering with NIWA.

She assured them of the Authority’s willingness to collaborate in unlocking opportunities within the inland waterways corridor in Lagos and across Nigeria.

“We are pleased to receive you and have listened carefully to your intentions to collaborate with us.

“We recognize that NIWA cannot achieve its mandate alone without the private sector, especially serious investors with genuine financial commitments to the industry.

“We will communicate your proposals to our headquarters in Abuja to explore how your group can leverage existing opportunities,” she said.

The Area Manager further highlighted the need to modernize inland water transportation by introducing new boats and ferries to gradually phase out outdated watercraft, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency, and value across the waterways transportation and hospitality sectors.

She concluded by urging the coalition to remain united, avoid internal conflicts, and focus on delivering meaningful impact, particularly for littoral communities that must be actively engaged and empowered to benefit from maritime tourism and transportation opportunities within their environment.

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NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

NIWA wins New Telegraph’s 2025 maritime agency of the year award

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National inland waterways Authority (NIWA) has been honored with the maritime agency of the year 2025 award.

The award was conferred on the agency by the New Telegraph Newspaper for its outstanding effort in reducing boat mishaps by 70 percent.

The award was received on behalf of NIWA by its Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, at a dinner night held at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos .

Alhaji Yusuf Girei, while receiving the award, dedicated it to the hardworking staff of the Authority and the former Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji.

He expressed his gratitude, stating that the award is a testament of the Authority’s dedication and commitment to improving maritime safety in Nigeria and will spur the staff to do more.

The award was a recognition of NIWA’s efforts to promote safety and security on Nigerian inland waterways, including the implementation of the inland waterways transportation code and the deployment of water Marshals to enforce safety regulations amongst many other achievements in 2025.