* Commissions 8 projects in Lokoja.
* Laments 3 fatal boats accidents.
ATABOR JULIUS LOKOJA.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola has called on investors to invest in the ten thousand kilometres of Inland waterways across the country to provide alternative mode of transportation and to create jobs for Nigerians.
The Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola made the call on Tuesday in Lokoja, while unveiling National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA 2023 Transportation Regulations Code for stakeholders in the water transportation sector.
The minister who bemoaned at the low investment by private sector into the water ways transportation business , said only three thousand kilometres out of the ten thousand kilometres of water ways across the country is being utilised.
He said president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the management of NIWA to ensure the safety and security of waterways to attract investors and to making it functional across the country.
He noted that federal government has committed huge resources to rejig the sector in order to generate favourable balance of trade for the country.
He said that the unveiling of Transportation Regulations Code would standardise the operation, in order to enhance safety, create Jobs and minimise accidents.
He changed the NIWA Management to ensure strict enforcement of the code , which he said will checkmate the activities of passengers and operators ,and promised to look into challenges facing the authority.
The Management Director and Chief Executive officer of NIWA , Nurudeen Bola Oyebamiji promise to put necessary mechanism in place to forestall the occurrence of three fatal boat accidents across the country.
He noted that in his determination to make the waterways safe, attractive to passengers and operators, purchased hydrographic survey boats , water ambulance, and water craft and other essential equipment.
According to him, the Management has created a data based of the stakeholders within the ecosystem, while aggressive public enlightenment would be pursued.
He said on assumption of office seven months ago, he approved grants for Children’s education and implementation of staff Promotion, saying , these gestures have improved productivity of the staff.
He commended president Ahmed Tinubu and the supervising minister Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola for the opportunity given to him to serve and pledge to work assiduously to making Inland water transportation, safer and attractive to the people.
In a remark, the kogi state Governor , Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo said his administration is committed to the strengthening of water transportation as Kogi state is surrounded by the major rivers in the country.
He added that his government will partner with NIWA to ensure that water transportation across the state remains the safest and secured.
Projects commissioned by the Minister include, Hydrographic survey boats, 62 seaters passenger boat, Water ambulance,and water craft: Administrative block, staff clinic, Reception building, and fire fighting equipment
