By Uzor Odigbo
The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, has promised the people of Badagry Kingdom that the agency would construct a multi-million naira jetty at Badagry to ease waterway transportation in the area.
The NIWA boss made the assurance during his visit to Badagry.
Moghalu, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Akran of Badagry, HR Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menutoyi I, thanked the Akran for his support to NIWA and pledged to make the waterways transportation navigable.
NIWA, in conjunction with Simtop Ventures, has organized a two-day workshop on safe handling of Small Craft for jetty operators and services on the Inland Waterways.
Moghalu assured the Akran that NIWA was doing everything in its powers to improve the inland waterways, as there were many economic benefits in the sector for Nigeria.
“I thank you for the support you have given to our partners in developing the waterways in Lagos State and Nigeria. Let us all do more to develop our waterways to take the pressure away from the roads.
“We are also very much concerned with safety and have taken measures to make sure that all our Captains are qualified, well trained and licensed. No one will also be allowed onboard without wearing a life jacket”, he said.
The Oba, speaking through Bale of Topo Community, Chief Abose, thanked the MD and appreciated the efforts of NIWA in organising the workshop as well as its role in making inland waterways a safe means of transportation in Lagos.
He advised that the workshop should be organized at least, twice a year to sensitise the people more on the issues of safety and opportunities in the sector.
He also suggested that more Jetties should be built in locations such as Topo and Ajido community to ease stress of the people there having to come all the way to the Marina before boarding or alighting from a ferry.
