Представители нигерийских водных перевозчиков призвали власти обеспечить дефицитные спасательные жилеты

THE leadership and members of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, ATBOWATON, have lamented over acute shortage of life jackets for waterways transportation. They expressed the deep concern during a visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Abuja Area/Liaison Office. The visit was to congratulate the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei, and the Area Manager, Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Mrs Aisha Eri, on their recent appointments. Speaking on behalf of the union, its National President, Dr Gani Tarzan Balogun, commended NIWA for its consistent support to operators nationwide. He acknowledged the authority’s deliberate focus on the safety of the waterways, with notable impact in the South-West region. Balogun, however, drew attention to one of the core challenges facing boat operators: acute shortage of life jackets. He appealed to NIWA to prioritise the provision of more safety equipment, stressing that adequate life jackets are critical to protecting both passengers and crew. The ATBOWATON, President noted that improving the navigability of the inland waterways would significantly ease pressure on roads. According to him, a functional water transport system offers commuters and cargo operators a safer and more efficient alternative to road travel. ALSO READ: Minister of Power inaugurates REA Board, urges people-centred In his response, the Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Girei, thanked the union for the visit. He assured members that NIWA had commenced work on many of the concerns raised, noting that interventions are underway well before the delegation’s visit. Also speaking, the Area Manager, NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office, Mrs Aisha Eri, described the visit as a welcome development. She urged ATBOWATON members to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the FCT, expressing optimism that their expertise would help strengthen water transportation in the region.