By Seun Ibiyemi
The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) has called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to increase the supply of life jackets for boat operators, describing inadequate safety equipment as one of the most pressing challenges confronting water transportation across the country.
The appeal was made on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the association’s leadership and members to the NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office, where they congratulated the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Umar Yusuf Girei, and the Area Manager of the Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Aisha Eri, on their recent appointments.
Speaking on behalf of the association, ATBOWATON National President, Gani Tarzan Balogun, commended NIWA for its sustained support to water transport operators nationwide and its commitment to improving safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
He particularly praised the authority’s safety interventions in the South-West, which he said had yielded positive results.
Balogun, however, identified the shortage of life jackets as a major operational challenge, urging NIWA to prioritise the procurement and distribution of more safety equipment to protect passengers and boat crews.
He also stressed the need to improve the navigability of Nigeria’s inland waterways, noting that a more efficient water transport system would reduce pressure on the nation’s roads by providing a safer and more reliable alternative for commuters and cargo movement.
Responding, Girei thanked the association for the visit and assured members that NIWA had already begun addressing many of the issues raised.
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According to him, the authority had initiated interventions on safety and infrastructure before the delegation’s visit and would continue efforts to improve inland water transportation across the country.
Also speaking, Eri described the visit as encouraging and urged members of ATBOWATON to deploy their experience and expertise to support the development of water transportation in the Federal Capital Territory.
She expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between NIWA and boat operators would enhance the safety, efficiency and growth of water transport services in Abuja and across Nigeria.
