By Godwin Oritse

The Nigerian Merchant Navy Water Transport Senior Staff Association and the Association of Tourists Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) have called on the Federal Government to relocate the Corporate office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) from Lokoja in Kogi state to Lagos.

Both groups said that relocating the authority to Lagos will bring about efficiency and effective performance of its mandate.

Besides, the associations also alleged that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is already encroaching on the functions of NIWA who is meant to regulate the activities on the coaster waters in Nigeria.

President of the Merchant Navy group, Engr. Mathew Alalade said the absence of the regulator in Lagos has not made NIWA to live up to its responsibility.

Alalade urged the Federal Government to redefine the role of NIWA     and its operations for it to be more effective.

Sighting instances, Engr Alalade faulted the recent distribution of live jackets by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to boat operators in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states noting that this was supposed to be NIWA’s function. He advised the safety department of NIWA to wake up to its responsibility and meet up with the dynamism of water transportation.

He explained that the relocation of NIWA to Lagos will also bring about a speedy reaction to issues affecting waterways transport.

Similarly, President of   the Association of Tourists Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, Mr. Sekoni Ganiu Balogun said that there was need for NIWA to live up to its responsibility adding that whether the agency relocate to Lagos or not, the bottom line is for it to be effective in the management of waterways transport.

In his reaction, Mr Tayo Fadile, General Manager, Public affairs of NIWA said that the operators are free to express their opinion on matters that affect their operations.

Fadile told Vanguard that the investment of NIWA in Lokoja will be a waste if the relocation is to be considered adding that the government does not have such money to fund relocation of its Headquarters to Lagos.

“To relocate NIWA will cost billions of naira and besides technology has made it easy for the agency to operate and meet its mandate.

“NIWA’s presence in Lokoja is symbolic because of the confluence connecting rivers Benue and Niger.

“Moving NIWA from Lokoja to Lagos will not solve the problems affecting water transportation in Nigeria,” he added.