NAPS Extols NIWA Boss, Calls for More Stakeholders Collaboration

Bashir Opaluwa Idris


The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has commended the Managing Director/CEO of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, FCIB, for the adoption and implementation of Nigeria's Water Transportation code.

The National Secretary General, National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Comrade Agada Noah made the appeal during a Press Conference organized by the Association on the Recent Boat Mishap held on Tuesday 10th December, 2024 in Lokoja.

Comrade Agada said the NIWA Boss while pushing for a safer Waterways, had trained over three hundred boat operators, distributed thousands of life jackets, recruited over five hundred water marshals, translation of safety campaign materials into over forty languages along the riverine, prompt removal of logs after as at when due as well as community engagements among others. 

He appealed to the Federal Government to increase NIWA manpower to meet up with the Renewed Hope agenda of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The NAPS Secretary General urged the Federal Government through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to increase the budgetary allocations to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

According to Comrade Agada, the budget allocation when increased, will focus on enhancing the safety infrastructure, providing better equipment for emergency response, and recruiting more trained personnel into the Agency.

On the Recent Boat accident that occurred in Kupa Ebbe Village in Kogi State during the early hours of Thursday, November 28, 2024, the National Association of Polytechnic Students mourns the tragic loss of lives and extends their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and stand in solidarity with the communities affected.

According to the statement, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the recurrent boat accidents across the country, many of which are preventable. 

The NAPS Secretary General noted that a significant proportion of the mishaps can be attributed to human factors, including negligence, lack of adherence to safety protocols, alcohol, sailing at nights without headlamps and the use of substandard or overloaded vessels by the boat riders. 

Other contributing factors according to the statement include poor infrastructure, inadequate emergency response systems, and non adherence to public awareness about waterway safety.

Comrade Agada called on various stakeholders to enforce stricter regulations on boat operators, ensure regular maintenance of vessels, and impose penalties for non-compliance with safety standards.

The NAPS Secretary General urged the Federal and State Governments, legislators as well as relevant agencies, to prioritize safety awareness campaigns, the NAPS Secretary General urged National Assembly members who come from riverine areas to collaborate with the water transporters and provide modern facilities, campaigns and sensitization to reduce accidents.

While calling on relevant authorities to ensure that proactive measures are taken to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies, the statement appealed to the state Governors to support NIWA's effort in depositing the waterways in Nigeria.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sen. Shehu Sani Releases Fund For Renovation of Lokoja Palace of Deposed Etsu Nupe

Image
By Stephen Adeleye Lokoja, Jan. 6, 2024  A civil rights Activist, Sen. Shehu Sani, has released fund for the renovation of the palace of deposed late Etsu Nupe Bida, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, who died in 1911 in Lokoja. The Senator, who recently visited the tombs of Six deposed Emirs by British colonialists in Lokoja, had promised to renovate the Lokoja palace of deposed Etsu Nupe, as well as the rehabilitation and revival of the Islamiyah School, hosting the tombs of two of the deposed Emirs. The renown Human Rights Activist, who confirmed the fund release to Correspondent on Monday in Lokoja, reaffirmed his commitment to appreciating freedom fighters in the country. He also added that arrangement were ongoing to release the fund for the rehabilitation and revival of the Islamiyah School, hosting the tombs of the deposed late Emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango) 1903, and that of Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Aliyu, 1902. The activist urged Nigerians to imbibe th...
Read more

SECURITY: OLAMABORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN ENGAGES OFANTE OGUGU COMMUNITY, PLACES BAN ON RECEIVING NEW FULANIS

Image
In a bold and proactive move to address rising insecurity and the influx of Fulani into Ofante Ogugu community, Executive Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government, Hon. Ameh Williams, on June 20th, visited the community and Declared Zero Tolerance for insecurity and Criminal Activities in the area. The high-powered security and community engagement meeting attracted personalities including traditional rulers, women and youth leaders, security operatives, the Fulani and Hausa leadership in Ofante, political office holders, and other relevant stakeholders from Ofante, Adupi, Emodu, and surrounding communities. Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Ahmeh Williams  noted  that the purpose of the visit was to chart a new course for ending security threats, especially the recent incidents of kidnapping and farm invasions. The Chairman, after listening to series of complaints from the communities, declared a ban on receiving new visitors including; Fulani, Hausa, or anybody pre...
Read more

2024/2025 WAEC Data Capturing Commences In Kogi Public Secondary Schools Jan. 13

Image
By Stephen Adeleye  Lokoja, Jan. 10, 2025 The Kogi State Ministry of Education, has announced the date for the commencement of Data Capturing for 2024/2025  West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Public Secondary Schools across the state.   The announcement was made in a statement signed by Mrs Iyabo Moraiyewa, the WAEC Desk Officer, Kogi State Ministry of Education on Friday in Lokoja.  According to the statement, the 2024/2025 WAEC data capturing would commence on Monday, January 13, 2025. Moraiyewa solicited for the total support and cooperation of the relevant stakeholders for a seamless exercise. "This is to bring to the notice of all Public Secondary School Principals that teams from the Consultant handling WAEC DATA CAPTURING will be visiting schools starting from Monday 13th of January, 2025 for data capturing of their students. "Please we seek for your total cooperation for a seamless exercise". Thank you. Mrs Moraiyewa Iyabo M Desk Officer W...
Read more