NIWA MD Calls for Improved Revenue, Accountability, and Safety Measures

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has urged the agency’s management and staff to demonstrate renewed commitment towards boosting revenue generation, enforcing accountability, and enhancing operational efficiency.

Speaking in Lokoja, Kogi State, during the NIWA retreat, Oyebamiji expressed concern over underperformance in revenue collection, particularly in some area offices where annual figures were as low as one or two million naira.

“This situation is simply unacceptable. Despite management’s provision of resources, incentives, and training opportunities, the expected results were not achieved. Moving forward, stricter measures will be enforced to ensure accountability and drive performance,” he stated.

Challenges in Debt Recovery and Financial Accountability

Oyebamiji highlighted debt recovery challenges, revealing that many area managers had failed to cooperate with the debt recovery consultant appointed in 2024. He noted that in some cases, debtors were either untraceable or provided inconsistent financial records, making recovery efforts difficult.

“This negative attitude towards financial accountability will no longer be tolerated,” he warned.

The retreat, he explained, aimed to review NIWA’s 2024 performance and set strategic targets for 2025.

New Government Directives and Strategic Goals

With new mandates under President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, NIWA has been tasked with additional responsibilities, including:

• Increased revenue remittances from the port development levy, alongside the existing 50% revenue deduction at source.
• Enhanced service delivery to meet public and stakeholder expectations in the maritime sector.
• Stronger collaboration with sister agencies to improve efficiency.

Beyond reviewing past performance, Oyebamiji stressed that the retreat would also focus on capacity building and teamwork, ensuring that officers are well-equipped to meet set goals.

“This retreat is not just about evaluating past performance; it is about strategizing for the future. I encourage all participants to engage actively, exchange ideas, and work collectively towards making NIWA a leading agency in the marine and blue economy sector,” he concluded.

Performance Bond and Safety Measures

As part of efforts to enhance safety on Nigeria’s waterways, NIWA senior staff, including general managers and area managers, signed a performance bond with the Managing Director.

In a statement on Wednesday, NIWA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing safety regulations and improving operational efficiency, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy for boat mishaps.

To further strengthen emergency preparedness, Oyebamiji inaugurated an Emergency Response Committee, tasked with:

• Swift intervention during maritime incidents.
• Close collaboration with stakeholders to ensure proactive risk mitigation on waterways.

“The committee will work closely with stakeholders to ensure rapid response and proactive measures to mitigate risks on the waterways,” the statement read.

With these strategic initiatives, NIWA aims to enhance its financial performance, ensure operational efficiency, and improve maritime safety across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

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