Headlines

NIWA unfolds multi-prong approach to curb boat mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways

—vows to enforce water transportation code

Funso OLOJO

The present leadership of the National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), led by its Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, has unfolded a radical approach to curbing the incidence of waterways accidents in Nigeria.

In an interactive session in Lagos between the agency’s top echelon and the Media on Friday, October 25th, 2024, Oyebamiji outlined comprehensive short–, medium–, and long-term measures to halt accidents on Nigeria’s waterways.

Apparently saddened by the affordable boat mishaps which happened in Gbajigbo, Niger state and Imore, Lagos state respectively where innocent lives were lost due to human error of non – compliance with the safety rules, Oyebamiji said the enforcement of the recently gazetted water transportation code will be the starting point of the radical reforms on Nigeria’ waterways.

According to him, most of the accidents were human errors caused by flagrant disregard for safety rules and guidelines such as the ban on night travel, wearing of safety jackets and other elementary safety measures.

According to him, strict compliance with the water transportation code will be enforced and offenders will be brought to book.

In addition, a robust sensitization programme to the grassroots, using traditional rulers and state commissioners of transportation as veritable vehicles to disseminate safety campaigns to the locals has commenced.

Furthermore, deployment of water Marshals to the Waterways jetties nationwide on 24-hour operation has also commenced.

“The twin issues of safety and insecurity on the inland waterways always overshadow every gain recorded by NIWA whenever it happens.

“To confront this headlong, we have reconsidered our safety campaign approach to focus more on the grassroots using community resources.

“Within one year, NIWA has carried out more grassroots safety campaigns than at any other time within the same period.

“Also, we have deployed water marshals across different loading and offloading points in the country.

“It may interest you to know that within three months of its launch, we have increased the number of our water marshals from 80 to 350 personnel.

“Recently, these officers were directed to commence 24-hour surveillance within selected locations to arrest the ugly incident of night travel and overloading.

“Ladies and gentlemen, just yesterday(Thursday, October 24th, 2024) in Abuja, we gathered the critical stakeholders in a meeting for several hours to evaluate the current challenges on inland waterways transportation and find possible solutions.

“The meeting which had in attendance the Honourable Commissioners of Transportation from more than 24 states, among other groups, highlighted several important measures that must be taken to arrest the twin issues of safety and insecurity on the inland waterways.

“Of note, is the need to increase the level of awareness and campaign within the sector” Oyebamiji declared.

The NIWA MD also disclosed the readiness of the agency to collaborate with both local and other international partners, including sister agencies, in its campaign to foster safe and secured waterways travels on Nigeria’s waters.

As a result, the agency has strong and robust collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) on the issue of removal of water hyacinths and shipwrecks on the waterways.

Oyebamiji also disclosed the readiness of NIWA to outsource the removal of water hyacinths in other to free government funds from such a venture.

On the international collaboration, Oyebamiji revealed that the agency through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has opened a discussion with the Ministry of Transportation of Spain for the purpose of importing Spanish technology to monitor Nigeria’s waterways.

To further deepen the safety measures on the waterways, the NIWA boss said the agency will prevail on the Presidency through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to abolish the use of wooden boats which are more prone to accidents.

He however said the measure will be in phases.

From the comprehensive measures NIWA management enunciated to tackle boat mishaps and with the burning passion which its Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, spoke about his intention to take a radical approach to the enforcement of safety rules and guidelines, it is obvious that the worrisome incidents of mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways would soon be a thing of the past under the present leadership of the agency.

Headlines

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

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.