PERM SEC MAHMOOD ENGAGES NIWA, CALLS FOR ENHANCED SAFETY AWARENESS AND SERVICE DELIVERY ON INLAND WATERWAYS
By Aishat Momoh
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Hajiya Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, has engaged the management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on strategies to strengthen safety awareness and improve service delivery across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The engagement, which took place in Abuja, was aimed at familiarising the Permanent Secretary with NIWA’s operations and evaluating how the Authority’s programmes align with the Ministry’s mandate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
During the meeting, the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Yusuf Umar Girei, alongside members of the management team, presented an overview of the Authority’s core mandate, vision and mission, key achievements, and operational challenges. Girei stated that NIWA has continued to implement initiatives with measurable impact in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the Authority is sustaining collaboration with the private sector to enhance efficiency and expand service delivery, adding that such partnerships are critical to unlocking the economic potential of inland waterways while improving navigation, infrastructure, and safety standards nationwide.
In her remarks, Mahmood commended NIWA for its ongoing efforts but stressed the need to deepen safety sensitisation among water users. She urged the Authority to extend awareness campaigns to religious centres to reach a wider audience of operators and commuters.
The Permanent Secretary also called for stronger collaboration with sister agencies, improved human capital development, increased engagement with the media for public enlightenment, and regular briefings to the Ministry on NIWA’s activities and progress.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy at the meeting included the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Hajiya Kalthum Ibrahim; the Director of Maritime Services, Mr. Oyinloye Adeola Meshack; and other staff from the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
The NIWA delegation comprised the General Manager, Legal Services, Barrister Naziru Biyankare; General Manager, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dan’Azumi Muazu; General Manager, Marine Services, Engr. Dakio Horsefall; General Manager, Engineering Services, Engr. Fidelis Ejike; and General Manager, Survey Services, Surv. Henry Adimoha.
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