HARVESTERS : NIWA To Outsource Water Hyacinth Removal To Private Firms, Seeks Media Support

By Roland Ekama 

 

The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Bola Oyebamiji has disclosed plans to outsource harvesters and clearance of water hyacinth activities to private firms across the six geopolitical zones as part of the Agency’s efforts to ensure safe navigation of passengers and goods.

Oyebamiji who spoke on Friday in Lagos during a media parley , called on journalists to collaborate with the waterways authority for effective information dissemination.

 

He re-echoed that journalists play a crucial role in promoting waterways safety and security across Nigeria.

The Managing Director reiterated that harvesters under the agency’s possession are obsolete but affirmed that buying of new equipment was not an option rather  outsourcing  to competent and qualified contractors with track record on such operations will be of goal orientation.

According to him, procurement of new equipment may not yield positive results for the clearance of water hyacinth across the country for effective navigation, pointing out that the over 12 years harvesters are domiciled in NIWA offices across the country lying fallow.

Apparently determined to work round the clock to reduce waterways accident, Oyebamiji acknowledged that safety and security challenges still persist, despite the achievements recorded by NIWA under his administration.

In furtherance to synergize with the media , the MD urged journalists to use their platforms to raise public awareness on safety issues noting that:“To me, after God, the next is the government followed by the media.

He stated that NIWA has never been short of media coverage whilst acknowledged the crucial role play by the media in information dissemination and nation-building.

The NIWA MD whilst highlighting his agency’s recent accomplishments, including the implementation of the 2023 Water Transportation Code and the deployment of 15 new boats of various capacities aimed at improving safety and efficiency on Nigeria’s waterways maintained that:“Within one year, NIWA has carried out more grassroots safety campaigns than at any other time within the same period.”

He also shared the progress of NIWA’s water marshal program, which has expanded significantly in the past year. “It may interest you to know that within three months of its launch, we have increased the number of our water marshals from 80 to 350 personnel,” Oyebamiji stated.

These marshals he said have been deployed across various loading points in the country to monitor boat operators and passengers, with recent directives to initiate 24-hour surveillance at key locations to prevent night travel and overloading.

.

“The twin issues of safety and insecurity on the inland waterways always overshadow every gain recorded by NIWA whenever it happens,” he said.

He stressed the critical role of public education, revealing that human error remains the leading cause of accidents, with “poor attitude and blatant disregard for safety protocol” as the primary culprits.

“We therefore call on you to join us in educating our people on the need to be safety conscious always,” he urged journalists.

Oyebamiji expressed confidence that a strengthened partnership with the media could drive positive changes. “We urge you, as opinion shapers, to partner with NIWA in its mission to promote safer waterways through media advocacy,” he stated.

He expressed his appreciation for the media’s consistent support over the years, acknowledging.”