The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) has donated 25 life jackets to boat operators at Oron Beach, Akwa Ibom during a workshop on Inland Waterways Safety Awareness on 25th March, 2025.
This is in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to all Ministries and their agencies to hold staheholders/citizens engagement to inform the citizens of government programmes to serve them better and also receive feedback on their experiences and expectations from the Government.
According to the MAN Acting Rector , Kevin Okonna ,who disclosed this during the workshop, the campaign which is organised by the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has already been taken to several jetties in Nigeria to sensitize citizens on Government laws/guidelines and necessary safe practices to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s Inland Waterways transportation system and also donate approved lifejackets to promote the safety practices.
He emphasised that in the recent past, so many Nigerians have lost their lives and properties on the inland Waterways, including the popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, due to ignorance and possible non-adherence to safety practices as required by the NIWA and contained in approved guidelines for safety on Nigeria’s waterways.
Okonna added that Maritime Academy of Nigeria is happy to collaborate with the NIWA to bring this workshop to Oron Beach with the same purpose of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, that is the engagement of the people for the promotion of safety on Nigeria’s Inland Waterways and prevention of boat accidents as well as boosting trade and industry in riverine and coastal areas.
“This workshop is organised by the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in line with Mr. President’s directive and as part of the programme of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure safety on our inland Waterways.
“We are donating 25 life jackets to the boat operators today with the promise to make more donations in future when we are encouraged with the good use of the set of lifejackets to be donated today. We are encouraged with the drastic reduction in the incidents of boat accidents on our inland waterways since the campaign began.
“We have the plan to subsequently collaborate with our partners and stakeholders and take this workshop to other riverine and Inland Waterways jetties/beaches within the State and beyond to achieve the same stated objectives.
While giving his opening remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIWA said persistent safety concerns remain a significant barrier to realizing a thriving marine and blue economy and unsafe water transportation not only jeopardizes businesses and discourages investment but, most critically, endangers lives.
He affirmed that safety is a collective responsibility that extends beyond government agencies to include private sector stakeholders, boat operators, passengers, local communities, and the public at large. .
“At the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), our mandate is clear, we are committed to unlocking the full potential of our waterways through capital and maintenance dredging, river training works, the development of ports, piers, jetties, ramps, and navigational aids. Additionally, our ongoing efforts in water hyacinth removal, wreck clearance, bank stabilization, and the implementation of modern mapping, charting, and buoyage systems are all geared toward fostering a safe, efficient, and navigable inland waterway network.
“I am confident that with collaboration and strategic interventions, we can mitigate these challenges and position Nigeria as a leading force in the global maritime industry. Together, through sustained collaboration, investment, and regulatory enforcement, we can ensure a secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable inland waterways transportation system.”
Ekanem Selia , the Deputy Director, Cabotage and Shipping Development who represented the Director ,Maritime Safety and Security, Babatunde Bombata, said safety on the Inland waterways is a concern for all and the crucial Stakeholders Engagement is timely and key to forging a robust platform of communication and understanding towards the path of ensuring a sustainable safety on Nigeria waterways.
“Regulation of operations to minimise boat mishaps are top of the Ministry’s priorities and events like these would show its willingness towards that Mandate.”, she said.
