Water Safety: NIWA Donates Water Ambulance To Niger Community, Inaugurates Water Marshals

As part of efforts to address boat mishaps in the country, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has donated a brand-new water ambulance to riverine communities in Gbajibo,  Mokwa Local Government, Niger State. 

NIWA has also inaugurated special water marshals who will further strengthen security apparatus and ensure all round safety and protection of lives and property of people who choose to travel by water in the country.

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that the community leaders and stakeholders applauded the federal government for taking the bull by the horns. 

The kind gesture was in fulfillment of the promise NIWA made to the people of the communities as part of its safety measure to curb incessant boat mishaps in the state and beyond. 

Recall that the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Mr Bola Oyebamiji  had last year, visited the communities following the unfortunate boat incident that claimed lives.

Unveiling the water ambulance on Saturday, Mr Bola Oyebamiji said the initiative is part of NIWA’s unwavering commitment and dedication to sanitizing and strengthening water safety standards in the country .

According to him, the provision of water ambulance would in no measure complement the agency’s transportation guidelines and reduce the number of water transportation tragedies in the state. 

Oyebamiji, who was represented by the General Manager, Business Development, NIWA, Olawale Adetola said the agency is poised to eliminate any form of mishaps on the country’s waterways. 

He said the need to increase surveillance on Waterways necessitated the inauguration of Water marshals and the procurement of water ambulance. 

‘We are calling on the community to assist themselves. They should see the water ambulance as their own and not as government property because it has been made available to serve the communities. 

Whatever they can do to ensure that this ambulance is not tampered with, they must ensure that nobody steals anything from it. They must make judicious use of the facility to ensure that it keeps speed span at all days so that it would serve the purpose to which it was procured’ he added.

In his remarks, NIWA General Manager, Port and Environmental Services, Agbashi Fidelis described the kind gesture as a testament to the avowed commitment of the agency to safety. 

‘NIWA has a mandate to ensure that activities on waterways are done safely and seamlessly to the benefit and interest of everybody. So far, NIWA, through its various initiatives has been able to put in place some of these strategies to ensure safety. 

With this facility, NIWA has further proven that every life is very important, and it is necessary to ensure safety for all. This is a true demonstration of what NIWA has done today’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of the community leaders and stakeholders, Abdullahi Gbajibo said: ‘This initiative means a lot to us. It will save the lives of the people in our community. Though when the NIWA MD came, he gave us lifejackets, but we still have shortage of it. We need more. They should assist us so that everybody can wear it whenever they travel by water’ he said-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you