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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to improve safety and reduce boat accidents across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The commitment was made on Tuesday when the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Mallam Umar Yusuf Girei, received the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr, on a courtesy visit to the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Girei said both agencies would intensify cooperation through information sharing, technical collaboration and joint operational efforts aimed at addressing the recurring challenge of boat mishaps on the nation’s waterways.
He stressed that closer synergy among maritime safety stakeholders remains essential to enhancing navigation safety and safeguarding lives and property.
According to him, NIWA remains committed to strengthening partnerships with sister agencies to improve safety standards, enforce operational regulations and promote safer inland water transportation across the country.
The Acting Managing Director also assured the NSIB of NIWA’s readiness to provide relevant operational data, technical expertise and institutional support to facilitate prompt investigations into marine incidents and develop preventive measures that will minimise future accidents.
Earlier, the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr, said the visit underscored the bureau’s commitment to deepening its existing relationship with NIWA.
He noted that both organisations would explore broader areas of collaboration, particularly in accident investigation, data sharing and the development of stronger safety standards, with the ultimate goal of preventing marine casualties and enhancing safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
