ATBOWATON applauds NIWA, seeks urgent boost for waterway safety
Maureen Aguta
The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) has commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its sustained commitment to improving safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, while calling for increased provision of life jackets and other critical safety equipment.
The commendation came during a courtesy visit by the association’s leadership and members to the NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office on Wednesday to congratulate the Authority’s Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, and the Abuja Area Manager, Mrs. Aisha Eri, on their recent appointments.
Speaking on behalf of the association, ATBOWATON National President, Dr. Gani Tarzan Balogun, praised NIWA’s consistent support for water transport operators across the country, particularly its proactive efforts to enhance safety standards on the nation’s waterways.
He noted that the Authority’s interventions have produced visible improvements, especially in the South-West, where safety campaigns and enforcement measures have strengthened compliance among operators.
Despite the progress, Balogun identified the shortage of life jackets as one of the most critical challenges confronting boat operators nationwide. He urged NIWA to intensify the distribution of life-saving equipment, stressing that adequate availability of life jackets remains essential to reducing fatalities and protecting both passengers and crew.
He also underscored the strategic role of inland water transportation in Nigeria’s transport ecosystem, arguing that improved navigability of waterways would provide a reliable alternative to road transport, reduce traffic congestion, lower pressure on road infrastructure and facilitate the movement of passengers and goods.
Responding, the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, thanked the association for the visit and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised.
He disclosed that NIWA had already begun implementing measures to tackle many of the identified challenges, noting that ongoing interventions predated the association’s visit and would continue as part of the Authority’s mandate to improve safety and operational efficiency on the nation’s inland waterways.
Also speaking, the Area Manager of NIWA’s Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Mrs. Aisha Eri, described the visit as timely and encouraging. She urged members of ATBOWATON to deploy their professional experience and expertise to support the growth of water transportation in the Federal Capital Territory, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration between the Authority and operators would accelerate the development of safe and efficient inland water transport.