By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to improving safety and rescue operations across Nigeria’s waterways following a recent boat mishap in Sokoto State, which saw a quick response from rescue agencies.
The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, provided this assurance yesterday during an interactive meeting with the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamji, and senior officials of the agency.
The Minister praised NIWA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their timely intervention, noting that their coordinated rescue efforts saved several lives and ensured the prompt recovery of victims.
“The rescue efforts in Sokoto demonstrate the importance of synergy between agencies. In the previous week, NIWA and NEMA were on-site even before other responders arrived, rescuing passengers and recovering victims. This level of dedication illustrates what can be achieved when we work together in unity,” Goronyo stated.
The Minister also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda, observing that the administration’s vision and policy direction continue to create a supportive framework for enhanced safety, infrastructure, and service delivery across critical sectors, including water transportation.
In his remarks, NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Oyebamji, thanked the Minister for his leadership and assured that the agency would continue to strengthen its operations to protect lives and improve navigation safety on the waterways.
He announced that the federal Government is set to receive five new boats in the coming months, including one aluminum and one iron boat designated for deployment to Sokoto State.
The NIWA Managing Director also revealed that immediate measures are being implemented to clear water hyacinth that obstructs free movement on the waterways in the region.
He said arrangements have been finalized for distributing life jackets to riverine communities in the coming weeks.
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment, Minister Goronyo emphasized that such engagements should be sustained as an ongoing platform for collaboration rather than a “one-off meeting.”
He underscored that the federal government remains fully dedicated to providing the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and policies to prevent casualties and ensure safe, efficient, and secure inland water transport across the nation.
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