Oyebanji And The Emerging Positive Change In    Waterways Transportation

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

There appears to be a noticeable air of change for system improvement, deliberately and vigorously being pursued by the administration of the incumbent managing director of the National Waterways Inland Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji.

While those whose business it is to know think that Oyebamiji has the total backing of his boss and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola in the current dispensation, close watchers of event say the new NIWA boss’s occupational performance credential more than any political party affiliation may have informed his appointment and business-like attitude to work.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the agency he inherited was hitherto seriously challenged and in need of major overhauling through pragmatic, bold and honest initiatives; both  in the area of leadership direction, national interest, operations and  safety.

Defining his priority attention for operationally efficient, safe and attractive waterways transportation at a recent interactive with journalists in Lagos, Oyebamiji stressed the need to continue to rework and rejig existing structures, facilities and programmes; and to emplace the necessary, regulatory powers to drive enforcement and compliance; some of which were hitherto, missing.

Sounding very concerned and agitated with the rare passion of a honest public servant, he said the authority under his supervision is presently more committed to enhanced security and safety standards, with the singular aim to protect passengers’ lives and properties.

With a most pleasant, unassuming and business like airs, Oyebamiji   disclosed that NIWA under his watch has been able to secure the enabling act that empowers the authority to sanction boat operators in violation of safety guidelines.

He explained that with the Water Transportation Code 2023 that was recently passed into law, the authority is now in a position to bark and bite; unlike before.

While regretting the spate of avoidable accidents hitherto which he attributed to human errors through disregard for safety guidelines, Oyebamiji said he has stepped up campaigns to improve adherence to operational safety and regulations.

While funding is critical, he said hold a different view in relation to the authority’s hitherto business decisions, especially in the area of direct works.

“In the last one year of my appointment, NIWA, through the supervisory effort of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr Gboyega Oyetola, CON, has a new Water Transportation Code, 2023.

“Within the same period, we have deployed several operational assets including 15 boats of varying capacities and uses to promote efficiency and service delivery. Similarly, we have provided greater incentives to our workers through the official commissioning of several capital projects to promote a better working environment. Not only this, we have continued to treat the welfare of our workers as a priority always”, he said, adding:

“Despite the aforementioned, there is a sore point that has always put NIWA in a bad light. The twin issues of safety and insecurity on the inland waterways always overshadow every gain recorded by NIWA whenever it happens. To confront this headlong, we have reconsidered our safety campaign approach to focus more on the grassroots using community resources.

“Within one year, NIWA has carried out more grassroots safety campaign than at any other time within the same period. Also, we have deployed water marshals across different loading and offloading points in the country. It may interest you to know that within three months of its launch, we have increased the number of our water marshals from 80 to 350 personnel.

“Recently, these officers were directed to commence 24-hour surveillance within selected locations to arrest the ugly incident of night travel and overloading.”

Fielding questions from journalists, the NIWA boss explained that there has never been a lax between operational guidelines, monitoring and enforcement, noting that the only missing link was the power to sanction offenders, which his administration with the active support of the supervising ministry of marine and blue economy has already secured.”

At the 46th Consultative Conference of Contracting Parties held recently at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters, Oyebamiji was in his element when he engaged with global maritime experts with intent to explore ways and means to enhance waterways transportation safety back home.

Leading from the front and not an appointee that sits back in the comfort of his office and watch things on auto-run, his actions since coming into office has produced a significant shift in improving waterways transportation safety, and securing responsive stakeholders attitude, through progressively increasing compliance.

On Thursday, October 24, 2024), Oyebamiji and his management team met with critical stakeholders in Abuja to evaluate the prevailing challenges in inland waterways transportation, towards finding efficient and achievable solutions.

The meeting which had in attendance the Honourable Commissioners of Transportation from more than 24 states, among other groups, highlighted several important measures that must be taken to arrest the twin issues of safety and insecurity.

Speaking on the engagement, he said, “Of note is the need to increase the level of awareness and campaign within the sector, hence this meeting. We urge you, as opinion shapers, to partner with NIWA, in its mission to promote safer waterways through media advocacy. This is important to us because, of all the causes of accidents on our waterways, human error takes the lead.

“A further evaluation reveals that poor attitude and blatant disregard for safety protocols account for the greatest cause of boat mishaps. We therefore call on you to join us in educating our people on the need to be safety conscious always.”

Responding to media inquiry on the continued involvement of the authority in water hyacinth removal, Oyebamiji said that as a leader, he does not consider the effort which includes floating assets driven company like caterpillar equipments economically wise, even as he disclosed that NIWA under his watch is considering other options, which includes outsourcing that task.

“I always believe that government has no business in business. Our position is that NIWA should outsource the removal of water hyacinths in other to free government funds from such a venture” even as he hinted that the authority is already in discussions with development partners through the supervisory ministry to enhance operational enforcement and safety.

“NIWA through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has opened a discussion with the Ministry of Transportation of Spain for the purpose of importing Spanish technology to monitor Nigeria’s waterways. We were in Spain and we were told that the Spanish waterways administration does not use men for monitoring. They use technology surveillance systems which monitor the waters and transmit reports to base. If there is an accident or violation, the base is immediately alerted and in the case of accidents, rescue mission is immediately dispatched.”

This is even as he disclosed that the authority is already discussing with the presidency through the supervising ministryof proposal  aimed at abolishing the use of poorly maintained wooden boats which are prone to accidents.

Earlier this week, the Authority Lagos Office in anticipation of heavy traffic during the approaching Christmas and end of year festive movements, commenced the clearance of water hyacinth along the Lagos water channels, to promote ease transportation activities and passengers safety.

According to the Lagos Area Manager, Mrs. Sarah Braimah, the ongoing project will cover areas of the Lagos channels known for high boat traffic, starting with Omu creeks and Ikorodu water channels.

Whatever the shortfall of the system in use, NIWA is presently upbeat in its steady progress towards achieving safe and enjoyable waterways transportation; through enhanced regulations and enforcements, standards and compliance.

Speaking on the ongoing project, Braimah said, “We want to do what is right as we approach the Christmas holiday season with an expected increase in boat transport activities.

“Incidentally, the season also heralds the return of water hyacinth around our waterways in Lagos, so the best is to proactively clear them even though the weeds have the capacity to rebound, but we are ready to sustain a safe passage for boat operations during and even after the yuletide.

“We are working round the clock to ensure this effort is sustained during this period and also the deployment of our River marshals to help keep eyes on boating operations during this period.

“It’s an expensive project and very demanding, but we are equal to the task as our staff are out there daily to ensure we deliver,” she promised.

Focused and steady, the expectation that NIWA is currently more alive to its responsibilities through the deployment of short-medium-long term solution approach is palpable and heartwarming.