Photo Caption
L-R: Executive Director, State Emergency Management Agency, Adamawa, Benjamin Bala, Director Legal, (rep) Managing Director, National Inland Water Ways Authority, Nasiru Biyankare, Commissioner Humanitarian Services, Saviour Noku, Director, Marine Conservation Innovation & Technology, (rep.) Honourable Minister, Marine and Blue Economy, Husseini Shettima, Permanent Secretary, Special Duty/Humanitarian Services, Urera Ibrahim Gadu, Area Manager, NIWA, Adamawa, Nana Jika Asmau and others from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy
By Ignatius Ushie
In line with improved water safety to ease transportation and waterway safety across the country and in a direct continuation of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s resolve to make waterways safe, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the Taraba State Government, have taken the initiative to the next level.
A consignment of life jackets was officially handed over to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Jalingo Area Office recently. This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing campaign to minimize waterway accidents across Taraba State.
According to a statement made available to Transport Day in Abuja, the Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by Director, Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology, Hussieni Shettima, emphasized the federal government’s unwavering dedication to waterways safety.
According to him, “This handover underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering safer inland water travel,” Shettima stated, expressing confidence that the combined efforts of federal and state agencies would lead to tangible, life-saving outcomes on Taraba’s waterways.
The successful distribution of the lifejackets is anticipated to significantly enhance the safety of the thousands who depend on the Benue, Donga, and Taraba rivers for their daily commute and commerce.
Given the crucial role inland waterways play in Taraba State’s mobility and economy, the provision of essential safety equipment like lifejackets has the potential to be a game-changer. This proactive measure is expected to dramatically reduce preventable accidents and, ultimately, save lives.
