The House Committee on National Inland Waterways has commended the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, for his transformative leadership and notable achievements within his short tenure.
The commendation came during the committee’s oversight visit to NIWA’s operational headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State, where they assessed the authority’s progress in enhancing inland waterways operations across the country.
Led by its Chairman, Mr. Ojema Ojotu, the seven-member delegation highlighted the strategic importance of inland waterways in Nigeria’s transportation network. Ojotu emphasized their potential to ease road congestion, foster connectivity, and stimulate economic growth. However, he expressed concerns over persistent challenges such as recurring boat mishaps, flooding, and insufficient infrastructure.
The committee praised Mr. Oyebamiji for his proactive measures in addressing these issues. Among the MD’s achievements are the decentralized safety campaign strategy, which involves extensive safety awareness initiatives at NIWA’s operational bases, and stakeholder engagement with state commissioners of transportation to enhance security and safety on waterways.
The MD’s immediate responses to accidents and outreach to affected communities have also been lauded for building public confidence.
Ojotu stressed the need for modernizing critical infrastructure, including inland ports, dredged waterways, and navigable channels. He called for investments in operational equipment, such as patrol boats, to bolster safety enforcement and emergency response capabilities. To address NIWA’s funding challenges, the chairman advocated for innovative financing models like public-private partnerships and concessional arrangements to bridge infrastructure and capacity gaps.
The committee pledged to collaborate with NIWA on legislative and budgetary measures to support sustainable development of Nigeria’s inland waterways. Ojotu assured that they would push for policies aligned with national priorities to transform the sector into a safer and more efficient mode of transportation.
During the visit, Mr. Oyebamiji presented a detailed report on NIWA’s achievements over the past year. These included the launch of the National Transportation Code, the commissioning of 15 operational boats, a staff clinic, and an administrative building. Additionally, NIWA inaugurated River Marshals to ensure compliance with safety regulations and emphasized the training and retraining of personnel to enhance efficiency.
He outlined plans for 2024, focusing on infrastructure development and dredging to improve navigability and stimulate economic activities. However, he raised concerns about the lack of funding for critical dredging projects in the 2024 capital budget. He appealed to the committee for increased financial support and legislative backing to strengthen NIWA’s enforcement capacity against unsafe practices.
“We require your urgent support in providing increased funding for our operations,” Mr. Oyebamiji stated. “Despite our strategic initiatives, the absence of capital dredging funds in the 2024 budget hampers our ability to maximize the economic potential of inland waterways.”
The committee acknowledged NIWA’s efficient use of internally generated revenue (IGR) to address its administrative and operational needs, describing it as a testament to Mr. Oyebamiji’s leadership. They expressed optimism about NIWA’s future under his guidance and assured the NIWA boss of their continued support to address funding and legislative challenges.
