International Maritime Organisation: NIWA Boss attends 46th consultative conference in London

…Says safety on Nigerian Inland Waterways nonnegotiable

By Seun Ibiyemi 

As part of efforts to sanitise the system, ensure all round security, safety, and continuously guaranteeing adequate protection of lives and property of the citizens on the Inland Waterways  in Nigeria, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji has reassured the public that no stone would be left unturned to champion the constitutional obligations of the Authority and achieve its mandate under the umbrella of Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the safety on Nigerian Waterways remains nonnegotiable as the Authority was irrevocably committed to nip in the bud the scourge of boat mishaps occasioned by noncompliance with the safety standards by the reckless boat operators and defaulters.

Oyebamiji, who is currently in London, attending the 46th Consultative Conference of Contracting Parties in International Maritime Organization, IMO Headquarters in the United Kingdom, said insights at the ongoing conference would further help to improve and develop Nigeria’s inland waterways for navigation as part of the cardinal objectives of the Authority.

The NIWA boss joined other stakeholders, intellectuals and experts in the maritime sector across the globe, where they are dissecting the topical issues bordering on Marine Geoengineering; Marine Litter and Microplastics and CO2 Sequestration in order to decisively tackle critical ocean challenges across the world.

According to Oyebamiji, by implementing the London Protocol, Nigeria can significantly advance its inland waterways sector, aligning it with sustainable international practices, protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening socio-economic benefits.

The Protocol which has serious implications on the Nigerian Maritime sector is centered on issues relating to inland waterways as it shapes environmental practices, safety and sustainability.

Some of the issues being deliberated on were environmental protection; strengthened waste management practices; international compliance and standards; capacity building and training; enhanced monitoring and enforcement; support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and health and livelihood support respectively.