NIWA puts workers first with safety overhaul, flexible policies — Girei
By Maureen Aguta
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to staff welfare, declaring that employee safety and wellbeing remain central to its operational reforms.
Girei made this known while delivering a paper titled “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organisations” to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, held on April 28, 2026, at the Authority’s conference hall in Lokoja, Kogi State.
He said NIWA’s management has taken deliberate steps to enhance the working environment through infrastructure upgrades and staff-focused policies.
According to him, the Authority has constructed new office spaces and rehabilitated aging facilities at its headquarters and selected area offices across the country.
“We have provided a well-equipped staff clinic and ensured access to potable water and proper sanitation at the headquarters in Lokoja, as well as in some of our area offices,” Girei stated.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the NIWA boss emphasized the importance of mental health and work-life balance in driving productivity. He disclosed that the Authority, in collaboration with the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, regularly organises mental health awareness sessions for staff.
In a move to promote inclusivity and support for working families, Girei added that flexible work arrangements have been implemented for nursing mothers, in line with directives from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
He further revealed that staff capacity development has been scaled up, with employees across various cadres benefiting from specialised training programmes in emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and workplace stress management in countries such as Turkey and Rwanda.
The event drew participation from key stakeholders in the maritime and regulatory ecosystem, including representatives of the Nigerian Navy, Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Kogi State Ministry of Transportation, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The renewed focus on workplace safety and psychosocial wellbeing, Girei noted, is expected to strengthen institutional performance while fostering a more resilient and motivated workforce within the Authority.
